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MANAGING DEATH ANXIETY IN THE DYING AND PREPARING PATIENTS FOR DEATH


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.




            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.


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), 3034.
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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