The Role Of Psychology In Irreversible Processes: 5 Attitudes Towards Death
Undeniably, in many of the fields where the psychology professional participates, phenomena related to loss processes. When the loss becomes irreversible, as in cases of death, the psychologist’s objective is to know how to respond to the consequent emotional demands of the environment. There are many areas where this type of phenomenon occurs.
For example, a psychologist specialized in gerontological care will be exposed to the death of elderly people on a continuous basis and their duty is to know how to respond to the demands of family members as well as to have resources to face their own death. Even more evident in hospital oncology units, care in grieving processes or psychological intervention in emergencies and disasters, among others. However, what are the most common attitudes towards death and dying?
According to Concepció Poch, in his book The Mort (Editorial UOC, 2008), there are five “classic” ways of facing the phenomenon of death.
1. Denial
First of all, denial or indifferencewhich consists of avoiding the presence of death as much as possible, even reflecting on it, living as if it did not exist. This commonly widespread attitude, of treating death as a taboo subject, is a common practice in Western culture.
2. Defiant attitude
Secondly, there are people who They approach death in an omnipotent and defiant waywhich colloquially would mean “risking your life.” We live as if we were never going to die and we expose ourselves to the phenomenon consciously. The common thought in this type of people is usually “it’s not going to happen to me.”
Third, fear and anguish. People who connect from this attitude acquire a pessimistic and hopeless cognitive style in the face of life and tend to repeat questions linked to the uncertain nature of the grim reaper: “What is the meaning of life and death?” “How and when will I die?”
As Concepció Poch (2008) expresses, some psychologists specify the fear of death in very human experiences: regretting not finishing projects, not accepting the end of one’s temporary existence, the fear of illness or dying with suffering and physical pain. It is also true that death is scary because it does not answer any of the unknowns it poses, What will be next? Is there life beyond death?
4. Liberation
A fourth approach to death would be from a liberation or relief point of view. Freeing the body and mind from a painful, dependent or routine existence is the horizon that some people long to achieve. In this sense, controversies of opinion often arise about debates on euthanasia or suicide, for example.
5. Acceptance
Perhaps the approach or The healthiest attitude is that of realism and acceptance. The resigned and realistic attitude has a pragmatic character that accepts death as a radical and authentic reality. In that sense, being aware of the finite character of the human being, not from a tragic point of view, educates us to value life and, above all, the negative vicissitudes and twists of fate that death brings. Death is educating us as the main agent of change in our lives. According to Raffaele Mantegazza (2006), in order to talk seriously about death, one must learn to die.
How many people do we know who have changed their lifestyle when they have had a near-death experience? Why do we usually wait for death to realize the important things in life? As a fellow faculty member said, “we prepare for everything except the most important thing.” If, for example, the death of loved ones frequently breaks into the life trajectory…
Why don’t we learn to understand those processes? Why don’t we put the will to accept death? Why do we continue to deny and “dodge” it? The psychology professional has an interesting field where he can continue developing his skills to help people… What are we waiting for?
