concerningDEATH & DYING

Death is the end of life. Dying is the process of approaching death.

Although intellectually we all know that one day we will die, we are generally reluctant to think about this and we live our lives as if we are going to be in the world forever. This natural preference to avoid thoughts of death is, in part, a coping mechanism. It would be very distressing if we were constantly aware of our own mortality.

Death is inevitable. It is a personal journey that each individual approaches in their own unique way. Our ideas about death may be shaped by cultural, social and religious factors as well as by previous experiences of death. In life, we may encounter the loss of someone close to us and this can have some bearing on how we come to view our own eventual death.

Life expectancy in Europe has been steadily rising for many years. In the UK, it is now believed that one in five people alive today will live to be 100.  A person born in the UK in 2011 can expect to live to 80.05 years of age.  In 1901 women in the UK lived, on average, 49 years and men 45.  In a century, UK life expectancy rates have neary doubled. There are many factors that contribute to this increase.

As the population grows older some people struggle with issues relating to the aging process. Aging can be frightening and frustrating, especially in a culture that emphasises youth and youthfulness. In therapy people often describe complex feelings associated with aging.  Sometimes the later years of our lives are marked by loss and grief as people we've known for many years, both friends and family, die.

While death is unpredictable, some people know they have begun the process of dying. Through illness, for example, we may be informed that life is ending.  Facing the end of life is a personal experience that may evoke feelings of anxiety, sadness, regret, hopelessness, helplessness and powerlessness. Common processes that those facing the end of their life experience include denial, anger, fear and acceptance.

For some people an awareness of impending death evokes existential concerns about the meaning and purpose of life. For some, dying brings questions and anxiety about what happens after death.

Death anxiety is common in people of all ages even when death is not imminent. Healthy people can become hyper-aware of their own mortality and thoughts of mortality may lead to a persistent and irrational fear of death. Anxiety about death or dying can be very distressing and may impede one's ability to engage with life. This kind of phobia is more common than many people realise and can have great consequences on a person's ability to enjoy life.

Therapy can help make sense of feelings generated by the aging process, and help people come to terms with emotions around death and dying.  Speaking with an experienced therapist can help explore many complex issues related to the end of life.

It is an essential element of human nature that we place great value on life, and the end of life can be a frightening emotional challenge.

sources

The Guardian, 22 March 2011

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/deathanddying