[chimpy]

I've been struggling with the fear of getting old, and on a lesser degree, dying, for about a year now. I am 18 years old and people tell me not to worry about this stuff now but that makes it worse because if not now then later!! It seems like the only thing that works is getting busy with something: friends, work, accomplishments, etc... but it is always only temporary. As soon as I go home after seeing a friend, for example, I start up again thinking about getting old. I just keep having thoughts such as how bad it will be when I become 70 or so and all I can do is wake up, eat, and go to sleep. What kind of a life is that? Or I think about how everything I do in life will be in vein since I am going to die anyway--why do anything if it's just temporary?? I don't act on these thoughts-I still go out and do stuff, but these thoughts really get me down.

I wish I could be a very happy 18 year old enjoying life but it seems like I always end up getting caught in these thoughts about the bad life I have when I get old. Sure I'm 18 years old now, but what about when I become 40? 50? What about when I am on my death bed and all that I did in life is gone and no longer matters?

I don't expect any kind of cure or anything but I was just wondering if anybody else has this fear or has any better things to say than "you're 18, forget it"?? Or even if you just listened to what I had to say that is good to, I don't really have anyone to turn to that cares to hear this.

Thanks so much.