Many TV fans are reeling from the shock of two celebrity deaths back to back. Within days, fans said goodbye to “Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane, of “Grey’s Anatomy.” What’s more, both stars died before ever seeing the age of 55 and after battling devastating illnesses.
Van Der Beek died less than three years after he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer, and Dane had been living with ALS. Both continued to work in Hollywood as they fought their illnesses. Van Der Beek was 48, and Dane was 53.
Celebrity deaths can feel personal, even if you never met the person. And while grief is different for everyone, experts say collective grief can intensify when a public figure is mourned widely.
When a death is tied to a serious illness, there’s also often another layer: heightened health anxiety. Watching a beloved public figure decline slowly can magnify existing worries about one’s own health.
Here’s what to know about health anxiety, collective grieving and how to manage those fears.
More: James Van Der Beek reveals what colorectal cancer taught him about self-love
Collective grieving can be healthy. It can also exacerbate concerns.
Parts of these stars’ stories unfolded on social media, making fans feel closer to them.
The families of Van Der Beek and Dane made posts on their respective Instagram accounts announcing the news of their deaths. Notably, family and friends of both also created GoFundMe pages to support the stars’ surviving loved ones. Fans and industry colleagues alike helped raise more than $2.7 million and $338,000 respectively.
“Dawson’s Creek will always be a part of my life,” one donor commented on Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe. “Although no one here knows each other, we are all connected by this affection and united in grief.”
Experts say collective or public grief is a valid experience that can be a normal part of grieving. However, it can turn problematic, when that shared experience leads to someone worrying more about their own health and mortality. The efforts to raise money for these well-known figures can also spark complicated feelings about one’s own medical and financial securities.
Why celebrity deaths can trigger health anxiety
In the age of WebMD and ChatGPT, it’s never been easier to spiral about medical symptoms. For fans, there’s genuine fear that comes with seeing public figures struggle with health issues: If high-profile celebrities who we presume have the best access to care are dying of illnesses, what does that mean for the everyday American?
Colorectal cancer is one of 17 different types of cancer rising for Gen X and millennials, according to the American Cancer Society. There’s no exact cause known for the rise in cancers among young people, according to experts, but researchers are trying to figure it out.
What is ALS? Eric Dane battled this disease before his death
And ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare degenerative disease that can impact the brain and spinal cord. People with ALS typically live from three to five years after symptoms develop, according to the CDC. So far, a cure has not been found.
For those who already struggle with health anxiety, losses like these can exacerbate fears.
It’s typical to feel a bit worried about your health but those concerns evolve into health anxiety if someone begins to experience “an excessive preoccupation with developing a serious illness,” explains Dr. Shairi Turner, MD, MPH, chief health officer at Crisis Text Line.
Seeing these deaths can trigger memories of a loved one who struggled with the same disease. And seeing the limitations of what the medical system can do, even for someone famous and seemingly with access to resources, can create additional layers to that anxiety.
“When you see celebrities go through something like this… it makes us feel very vulnerable, right? Like, if it can happen to them, that it can definitely happen to me,” Turner says.
How to manage health anxiety
Know you’re not alone: “Give yourself permission to feel sad,” Turner says. “People were very invested in these shows for many years … Acknowledge it, allow yourself to grieve, but don’t spiral into it.”
Control what you can: Turner says staying up to date on news about health and going to regular check ups is a productive way to navigate concerns, along with a maintaining a balanced diet and exercising.
Curb your Googling: Turner also suggested avoiding self-diagnosis through the internet.
Turn to healthy distractions: Instead, try healthy redirection. That can include meditation, breathing exercises, mindfulness activities and physical exercise.
Seek professional help: If someone has gone to doctors repeatedly and doctors have not found a medical diagnosis and they’re continuing to worry, Turner says it’s time to seek help. “Anxieties are our brains response to not feeling in control, and it can cause physical symptoms, because it’s a stress response,” Turner says.
Contributing: Alyssa Goldberg
Rachel Hale’s role covering Youth Mental Health at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Reach her at [email protected] and @rachelleighhale on X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane and when health anxiety feels too real
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