Today's coined word: Literothanatophobia

[dianeduane]

Or, "The fear of death in literature."

A British book retailer plans to set up a counseling hotline for all heartbroken fans of Harry Potter, in case he dies in the much awaited next book.

As a former psychiatric professional, I can kind of see the point.  ...But I do start wondering, sometimes... Are human beings actually less robust, more fragile, than they used to be -- or are we just being encouraged to believe we are? 

And I remember clearly the resilience and fortitude of my younger patients as compared to the so-called "adults". The kids were endlessly more pragmatic and better at handling pain than the grownups. Any bets on the percentage of over-eighteens who wind up being counseled, as opposed to the under-eighteens?...

Comments

[ebonypearl.livejournal.com]

Picking at scabs causes infections and scars. This sort of thing encourages people to pick at the scabs.

I don't think we really are less robost; I think we aren't given the chance to find out how strong we really are with so much coddling and pampering.

We believe we need it because 1. People presumably in authority say we do; 2. It's available and others are using it, so maybe we need to use it, too; 3. Using these things buys us sympathy and maybe even material things like sloughing off at work or school or getting extra consideration from others which may include meals and other signs of material pampering; 4. If others are getting back rubs and time off from work and responsibilities and free meals and chocolate and such for dispalying these signs of weakness, why shouldn't otherwise strong people also take advantage of it and get some of the sympathy goodies, too? and 5. A few people actually are so out of touch with reality they need some counseling to help them regain their perspective. I don't know if this sort of counseling will provide that.

[korenwolf.livejournal.com]

Agreed, people are being given so much support there's no reason to develop the thickness of skin and strength of mental muscle needed to survive against whatever comes their way.

We see it with both kids, though we're doing our best to get it through to them that life isn't fair (so please don't use that four letter word in the house) and the best way of getting what you want is to plan and work. Regular beatings also helps >:)

[liasbluestone.livejournal.com]

Ah - a parent after my own heart (but you knew that anyway)