Death can essentially be referred to as the
cessation of vital processes in a person. Facing impending death can evoke many
emotions in a person, and these emotions can differ vastly depending on age.
One of many such emotions is death anxiety, also
known as thanatophobia. Thanatophobia is characterized by the fear of one’s own
death or the process of dying (B. Cadman, 2018).
There
can be several ways to deal with death anxiety depending on the manifestation
of it in patients. These manifestations may be physical, emotional, behavioral
or cognitive. The most important step in managing anxiety is recognizing that
it exists. After recognizing these signs, it is important to provide medical,
psychological, social and spiritual support (C. Tidy, 2015).
It is important to note that though some patients may be open about their fears, others may not. The physical manifestations of death anxiety which include insomnia, palpitations and hyperventilation, can be alleviated with anxiety medications (A. Morrow, 2018). However, managing the emotional aspects underlying these symptoms can help prevent their physical manifestation. Open conversations about the process can be very helpful in calming a patient down (L. Balducci, 2012). Another solution is to keep the patient distracted from the situation and to keep conversations ‘light’. Having family and friends around and keeping busy is another way to manage the anxiety. Allowing a person to choose the place they spend their last days can also be a form of management for their anxiety.
It is important to note that though some patients may be open about their fears, others may not. The physical manifestations of death anxiety which include insomnia, palpitations and hyperventilation, can be alleviated with anxiety medications (A. Morrow, 2018). However, managing the emotional aspects underlying these symptoms can help prevent their physical manifestation. Open conversations about the process can be very helpful in calming a patient down (L. Balducci, 2012). Another solution is to keep the patient distracted from the situation and to keep conversations ‘light’. Having family and friends around and keeping busy is another way to manage the anxiety. Allowing a person to choose the place they spend their last days can also be a form of management for their anxiety.
Preparing
patients for death can range from the emotional aspect to the legal aspect. It
is necessary to be up to date with a patient’s state of mind and have
conversations concerning resuscitation, organ donation and funeral arrangements
as the time approaches. Some patients may also have some religious needs that
should be attended to. Making sure the patient has tied loose ends in
preparation for death can alleviate the stress and anxiety
associated with dying.
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| Author: Adwoa Debrah |
REFERENCES
Balducci, L.
(2012) Death and dying: what the patient wants, Annals of Oncology, Volume 23, Issue suppl_3, Pages
56–61, https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mds089
Cadman, B. (2019). What to know about the fear of
death. Medical News Today. Retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321939.php
Ellershaw, J., & Ward, C. (2003). Care of the
dying patient: the last hours or days of life. BMJ
(Clinical research ed.), 326(7379),
30–34.
Lowey, S.E (2015) Nursing care at the end of
Life. New York: Open SUNY Textbooks
Morrow, A. (2018) Symptoms and management of
End-of-Life. Very Well Health. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/managing-anxiety-1132473
Tidy, C. (2015). Helping Patients Face Death and
Dying. Terminal Care Advice. Retrieved 24 July 2019, from
https://patient.info/doctor/helping-patients-face-death-and-dying#
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