The role of psychology in irreversible processes: 5 attitudes towards death

We explain the role of the psychologist in irreversible processes.

Undeniably, in many of the fields in which the psychology professional is involved, phenomena related to loss processes. When the loss acquires an irreversible character, 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 such phenomena occur.

For example, a psychologist specializing in gerontological care will be exposed to the death of elderly people on a continuous basis, and his duty is to know how to respond to the emotional demands of the environment. and his or her duty is to know how to respond to the demands of the relatives as well as to have the resources to deal with the death itself. Even more evident in hospital oncology units, bereavement care or psychological intervention in emergencies and disasters, among others. However, what are the most frequent attitudes towards death and dying?

Five attitudes towards death

According to Concepció Poch, in her book Death (Editorial UOC, 2008), there are five "classic" ways of facing the phenomenon of death.

1. Denial

In the first place, denial or indifferencewhich consists of avoiding the presence of death as much as possible, including reflection on it, living as if it did not exist. This widespread attitude of treating death as a taboo subject is a common practice in Western culture.

2. Defiant attitude

Secondly, there are people who approach death in an omnipotent and defiant manner, which colloquiallywhich colloquially would mean "gambling with life". We live as if we were never going to die and we consciously expose ourselves to the phenomenon. The common thought in this type of person is usually "it won't happen to me".

3. Anxiety

In third place, fear and anguish. People who connect with this attitude acquire a pessimistic and hopeless cognitive style towards life and tend to repeat questions related 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 own temporary existence, 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 questions it raises, What will there be after? Is there life beyond death?

4. Liberation

A fourth approach to death would be from a point of view of liberation or relief. Freeing the body and mind from a painful, dependent or routine existence is the horizon that some people long to achieve. In that sense, controversy of opinion is often generated over the euthanasia or suicide debates, for example.

5. Acceptance

Perhaps the healthiest 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), to be able to talk seriously about death we need to learn how 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 until death to realize the important things in life? As a college classmate of mine used to say, "we prepare for everything but the most important things." If, for example, the death of loved ones frequently intrudes on the trajectory of life?

Why don't we learn to understand these processes? Why don't we put the will to accept death? Why do we continue to deny and "avoid" it? The psychology professional has an interesting field in which to continue developing his or her skills to help people... What are we waiting for?