Necrophobia is the term used to describe the fear of corpses or dead things in general. Although sometimes used interchangeably, thanatophobia is the term used to describe the fear of one's own death or dying. The onset of this fear usually occurs among those with a predisposition to worry and those with family backgrounds of anxiety. Most likely, sufferers of necrophobia experienced an intense panic attack at some point in their lives while being exposed to a corpse or a dead thing. As with all phobias, exposure could have also come in a second hand form such as television or radio broadcast. Nonetheless, the wiring of the brain caused the reaction to become a learned behavior. Although irrational, this fear is very real to the sufferer. When they are exposed to the stimulus, a panic attack ensues causing excessive perspiration, dry mouth, high levels of anxiety, heavy breathing and even immobility. Many necrophobics have trouble sleeping and often experience the urge to run out of their beds at the slightest thought of death. Because of their fear, necrophobics tend to avoid situations where they may come into contact with the stimuli. This can cause an avoidance of family funerals, Treatments consist around the cognitive behavioral therapies common with most phobias such as exposure therapy, flooding and counter-conditioning. Hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programing and energy psychology are among the more alternative methods of treatment. Medications include anti-depression and anxiety pills used to treat panic attacks. These are a good short term answer to save one from an embarrassing episode. They are not, however, a good or permanent solution to any phobia.