Death Anxiety and Fear

The definition of resistance is “he critical objections which the patient raised in order to avoid communicating the ideas which occurred to him, and against which the fundamental rule of psycho-analysis was directed, had themselves already been manifestations of this resistance” (Freud, 2017). Transference is when a patient during therapy feels emotions, expectations, and desires because of the journey through experiences and then redirects and applies it to another person. For example, a woman discussing having an affair with a man, could then want to have an affair with her therapist because of the feelings that arose discussing why she became promiscuous in the first place.

Related to resistance, transference could end up being the best way to allow someone who is resisting to come to the realization that he or she is experiencing something that is blocking their recovery. For example, if that person’s anger over his father is fueling the resistance of therapy and he is transferring that anger to the therapist, it can be pointed out to him and he could know therefore is angry now, this is why he is acting that way with the therapist. What was a weakness, could be a strength in the therapy setting?

Death anxiety is prevalent among the elderly and those who are terminally ill. There are two basic ways to see death. “There are two different views about death- either it is the end of one’s identity or it is a doorway to another life” (Neimeyer, 2015, p. 125). Those that view it as the end of existence, tend to live in the present moment. Whereas those that believe in reincarnation and karma, try to be careful in how they live their lives to prepare for the next one. I would ask my relative what they think happens when one dies. If my aunt for example believed in reincarnation, I would attempt to alleviate her death anxiety by saying that this is just one step in many and will only lead to a more complete spirit.

Reincarnation is something people of the Hindu religion believe in and they also believe in karma. So for those that are afraid of death and believe in reincarnation, I would advise them that this is a never-ending journey and that the next life will bring new experiences and adventures. This may ease how they feel about death. If however, the person believes death is the end of existence, I would say, at least now it can bring peace.

Life itself is a very painful process. From learning to growing, to developing, there are pains involved and routines. When death is thought of to end existence, there is some relief in realizing all that pain will go away. It seems morbid, especially if someone wants to commit suicide, but it is something that eases anxiety. The idea that the person will no longer feel pain is comforting and may be able to release those fears of dying that come naturally from time to time.




References
Freud, S. (2017). Psychoanalysis - Resistances. Retrieved from http://www.freudfile.org/psychoanalysis/resistance.html
Neimeyer, R. A. (2015). Death Anxiety Handbook: Research, Instrumentation, And Application. Taylor & Francis.