death and loss chapter 4. facing our mortality from a humanistic existential perspective, it is...

Death and Loss

Death and Loss

Chapter 4Chapter 4

Facing Our MortalityFacing Our Mortality

From a humanistic existential perspective, From a humanistic existential perspective, it is important to face the fact that our lives it is important to face the fact that our lives will end some day, because when we do will end some day, because when we do this life become more precious.this life become more precious.

Acknowledgment of mortality gives a Acknowledgment of mortality gives a sense of urgency to do the things we want sense of urgency to do the things we want to do in life.to do in life.

Facing Our MortalityFacing Our Mortality

PhilosophiesMind over matterSuffering is inevitable and a “grace”Adversities can provide enlightenmentWe must develop an effective way of dealing with crisisThe meaning we assign to death affects the meaning we find in life

Each of us must face our Each of us must face our mortality.mortality.

Each of us must face our Each of us must face our mortality.mortality.

Are we a Are we a death-denyingdeath-denying society?society?

Are we a Are we a death-denyingdeath-denying society?society?

Does living in a society that avoids talking about death make facing our own inevitable end more difficult?

What are some of the ways that U.S. culture hides death or makes us less aware of death?

Ways the U.S. Culture Ways the U.S. Culture Denies Death Denies Death

Ways the U.S. Culture Ways the U.S. Culture Denies Death Denies Death

Not discussing deathNot discussing deathEncouraging plastic surgeryEncouraging plastic surgeryPlacing our elderly in residential homesPlacing our elderly in residential homesFailing to save for retirementFailing to save for retirementNot buying long-term care insuranceNot buying long-term care insuranceUsing euphemisms for the word “death”Using euphemisms for the word “death”Fitness/health crazeFitness/health crazeNot making a willNot making a willNot making funeral arrangementsNot making funeral arrangementsCartoon characters are “killed” and then spring backCartoon characters are “killed” and then spring back

Facing Our Mortality, continued

Facing Our Mortality, continued

People in the U.S. tend to avoid talking about People in the U.S. tend to avoid talking about death, which may make facing death more death, which may make facing death more difficult.difficult.

Having a serious illness may make a person Having a serious illness may make a person feel like a “social leper.”feel like a “social leper.”

Instead, would it be a good idea to Instead, would it be a good idea to acknowledge death, so that we won’t have to acknowledge death, so that we won’t have to fear it so much?fear it so much?

Facing Our Mortality, concluded

Facing Our Mortality, concluded

Embracing the naturalness of death may enable us to Embracing the naturalness of death may enable us to enjoy life without fear.enjoy life without fear.

We may find that developing a more comfortable sense We may find that developing a more comfortable sense of death will lessen our fear of it.of death will lessen our fear of it.

“ “ It is the denial of death that is partially responsible for It is the denial of death that is partially responsible for people living empty, purposeless lives; for when you live people living empty, purposeless lives; for when you live as if you would live forever, it becomes too easy to as if you would live forever, it becomes too easy to postpone the things that you must do” (E. Ross)postpone the things that you must do” (E. Ross)

Means of Symbolically Conquering Death


There are a variety of ways that human beings There are a variety of ways that human beings attempt to come to terms with their mortality.attempt to come to terms with their mortality.

Death does not have a solution but by being Death does not have a solution but by being more accepting of it and less frightened by it, a more accepting of it and less frightened by it, a person can live with the reality of death.person can live with the reality of death.

Means of Symbolically Means of Symbolically Conquering DeathConquering Death

Means of Symbolically Means of Symbolically Conquering DeathConquering Death

What are some of the ways mentioned in the What are some of the ways mentioned in the chapter that people use to triumph over death?chapter that people use to triumph over death?



Ways of facing and possibly accepting death include:Ways of facing and possibly accepting death include: Living on through one’s childrenLiving on through one’s childrenLeaving a creative product behind, a “great work”; a legacyLeaving a creative product behind, a “great work”; a legacyExerting personal influence that outlives the person himself/herself Exerting personal influence that outlives the person himself/herself Continuing on as an eternal part of nature on the molecular levelContinuing on as an eternal part of nature on the molecular levelMeeting death with machismo or defiance to “trump” death with a show of Meeting death with machismo or defiance to “trump” death with a show of couragecourageA life well and thoroughly lived can be a satisfying response to awareness A life well and thoroughly lived can be a satisfying response to awareness on one’s mortality.on one’s mortality.Exercising power over others is a destructive way of handling one’s Exercising power over others is a destructive way of handling one’s mortality.mortality.Embrace a spiritual belief that includes an afterlife.Embrace a spiritual belief that includes an afterlife.Temporarily defeat death by achieving an experiential transcendence.Temporarily defeat death by achieving an experiential transcendence.

Stages of DeathStages of Death Elisabeth Kubler-Ross worked with terminally ill Elisabeth Kubler-Ross worked with terminally ill

patients, and she identified five stages of dying:patients, and she identified five stages of dying:

DenialDenial

AngerAnger

BargainingBargaining

DepressionDepression

AcceptanceAcceptance

Your Turn!Your Turn!

What do you think?What do you think? Should Should Kubler-Ross’ list Kubler-Ross’ list of the stages of death be a fixed series of of the stages of death be a fixed series of stages to go through in order?stages to go through in order?

Your Turn!Your Turn! What do you think?What do you think? Should Should Kubler-Ross’ list of the Kubler-Ross’ list of the

stages of death be a fixed series of stages to go stages of death be a fixed series of stages to go through in order?through in order?

Possible answer:Possible answer: When Kubler-Ross’ observations were When Kubler-Ross’ observations were first published, nurses sometimes chastised dying first published, nurses sometimes chastised dying patients for “being in the wrong stage” or “not progressing patients for “being in the wrong stage” or “not progressing quickly enough’ to the next stage. Also, some dying quickly enough’ to the next stage. Also, some dying individuals felt guilty because they hadn’t “achieved individuals felt guilty because they hadn’t “achieved acceptance.” Obviously, these examples represent a acceptance.” Obviously, these examples represent a serious misunderstanding of the emotional reactions to serious misunderstanding of the emotional reactions to dying that Kubler-Ross noted.dying that Kubler-Ross noted.

The Grieving ProcessThe Grieving ProcessMore often, it isn’t our own imminent death, but that More often, it isn’t our own imminent death, but that of a loved one which afflicts us.of a loved one which afflicts us.

The loss of a loved one typically precipitates a The loss of a loved one typically precipitates a “normal” state of depression which we call grieving.“normal” state of depression which we call grieving.

It isn’t unusual for this process to last for a year.It isn’t unusual for this process to last for a year.

It is unusual for a person to still be grieving three or It is unusual for a person to still be grieving three or more years after losing a loved one, and counseling more years after losing a loved one, and counseling for someone in this situation would probably be for someone in this situation would probably be helpful.helpful.

Typical responses to Typical responses to facing death:facing death:

Typical responses to Typical responses to facing death:facing death:

disbelief, sadness, disbelief, sadness, anger, feelings of anger, feelings of helplessness and helplessness and hopelessness, fear, hopelessness, fear, guilt, lack of motivation guilt, lack of motivation and interest in usual and interest in usual activities activities

a need to talk and stay a need to talk and stay focused on recounting focused on recounting events that lead up to events that lead up to the death, a resurfacing the death, a resurfacing of psychological of psychological problems which the problems which the person may have person may have struggled with at a struggled with at a prior timeprior time

Coping with DeathCoping with Death Expect an array of emotions Forgive yourself for what you did or did not do for

the person Try to be there for those suffering a terminal illness Talk to others who share in your grief Cry and/or scream when you feel it is necessary Seek help from friends/professionals- do not go

through the experience alone

Choosing DeathChoosing DeathPeople who feel pessimistic and hopeless about their lives and People who feel pessimistic and hopeless about their lives and about the future are at risk for suicideabout the future are at risk for suicideSome elect suicide as a means for escaping from unbearable Some elect suicide as a means for escaping from unbearable psychological painpsychological painDepression is linked with thought patterns that are self-defeatingDepression is linked with thought patterns that are self-defeating

depressed people are not capable of rationally considering their depressed people are not capable of rationally considering their optionsoptions

When depressed people are helped through the crisis of feeling When depressed people are helped through the crisis of feeling suicidal, they are generally grateful suicidal, they are generally grateful

Choosing Death, concludedChoosing Death, concluded

Assisted suicide and euthanasia has surfaced Assisted suicide and euthanasia has surfaced as an ethical issueas an ethical issue

Approximately 90% of Californians favor Approximately 90% of Californians favor euthanasia under certain circumstanceseuthanasia under certain circumstances

Chapter 4 ActivityChapter 4 Activity

Complete “My Epitaph” on p. 112 of your text.

SuicideSuicideSuicideSuicideDepressed people are at risk for suicide.Depressed people are at risk for suicide.

Suicide ranks as the 7th cause of death in the Suicide ranks as the 7th cause of death in the U.S.U.S.

For youth ages 15-24, suicide is the third most For youth ages 15-24, suicide is the third most common cause of death.common cause of death.

Approximately 1 person out of 100 attempts Approximately 1 person out of 100 attempts suicide during his or her life.suicide during his or her life.

Gender and SuicideGender and SuicideGender and SuicideGender and SuicideMore women attempt suicide; more men More women attempt suicide; more men succeed.succeed.

The ratio of attempted suicides for male to The ratio of attempted suicides for male to female is 1:4.female is 1:4.

The ratio of completed suicides for male to The ratio of completed suicides for male to female is 4:1.female is 4:1.

Men use more lethal means, typically guns.Men use more lethal means, typically guns.

Women use poisons, especially barbiturates.Women use poisons, especially barbiturates.

Why do people commit Why do people commit suicide?suicide?


The psychological factor most frequently associated The psychological factor most frequently associated with a serious suicide intent is the person’s sense ofwith a serious suicide intent is the person’s sense of hopelessnesshopelessness..

Most people attempt suicide to Most people attempt suicide to escapeescape a situation that a situation that they perceive as intolerable.they perceive as intolerable.

They may decide that being dead is better than a They may decide that being dead is better than a futile struggle to find meaning in life.futile struggle to find meaning in life.

Contemplating suicide may give people a renewed Contemplating suicide may give people a renewed sense of powersense of power over their own lives. over their own lives.



Highly successful Highly successful people, like rock people, like rock star Kurt Cobain, star Kurt Cobain, are not immune to are not immune to the feelings of the feelings of despair that can despair that can trigger suicide.trigger suicide.

Why do people commit Why do people commit suicide?suicide?Why do people commit Why do people commit suicide?suicide? Not all who consider or attempt suicide want to die. Some symbolic meanings of suicide mean:

A cry for helpA form of self-punishmentAn act of hostilityAn attempt to control others An attempt to be noticed A relief from depressionAn escape from an impossible situationA relief from hopelessnessAn end to pain

Who is most at risk for Who is most at risk for suicide?suicide?

Who is most at risk for Who is most at risk for suicide?suicide?

Most suicides occur among older people.Most suicides occur among older people.

The groups most likely to commit suicide are:The groups most likely to commit suicide are:

1)1) depressed men over 40 years of agedepressed men over 40 years of age 2) single, divorced, or widowed persons2) single, divorced, or widowed persons 3) individuals who have experienced a recent bereavement3) individuals who have experienced a recent bereavement 4) individuals who live alone4) individuals who live alone 5) alcoholics (20% of alcoholic deaths are from suicide)5) alcoholics (20% of alcoholic deaths are from suicide) 6) elderly people who are medically ill6) elderly people who are medically ill 7) Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Caucasians7) Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Caucasians

Assessing for Suicide Assessing for Suicide PotentialPotential


About 75% of completed suicides have a history About 75% of completed suicides have a history of aof a previous attemptprevious attempt or threat.or threat.

A person who has a A person who has a concrete, workableconcrete, workable planplan, , and theand the meansmeans to carry it out.to carry it out.

Talk of suicide: Statements such as “I don’t Talk of suicide: Statements such as “I don’t want to go on living.”want to go on living.”

Familiarity with lethal dosages of drugs or other Familiarity with lethal dosages of drugs or other forms of self-destructionforms of self-destruction

SecretivenessSecretiveness



A sudden decision to make a willA sudden decision to make a will

A sudden appearance of calm or improvement in A sudden appearance of calm or improvement in mood in a previously agitated personmood in a previously agitated person

A lack of concern about the usual deterrents to A lack of concern about the usual deterrents to suicide such as hurting family, breaking suicide such as hurting family, breaking religious rules, or the fact that suicide is an religious rules, or the fact that suicide is an irreversible action.irreversible action.

ConverselyConversely, the most reassuring reply is often a , the most reassuring reply is often a qualified denial, such as "Sometimes I think qualified denial, such as "Sometimes I think about it, but I would never do it."about it, but I would never do it."

Helping a suicidal personHelping a suicidal person Encourage them to seek professional help Offer emotional support, acceptance and caring Show acceptance to the person through supportive

statements Avoid judging, moralizing, ridicule or sarcasm Avoid probing painful topics, criticism or opinionated

statements Ask if they have a plan

Your ViewpointYour Viewpoint

If individuals wish to take their own lives, what right or obligation do others have to interfere?

Assisted SuicideAssisted Suicide

Dr. Kavorkian has been a crusader in Dr. Kavorkian has been a crusader in promoting the individuals right to die when promoting the individuals right to die when his/her life has become unbearable and has no his/her life has become unbearable and has no prospect of recoveringprospect of recovering

Assisted suicide- assisting a patient to self-Assisted suicide- assisting a patient to self-administer a lethal injectionadminister a lethal injection

EuthanasiaEuthanasia

Active euthanasia involves taking steps to Active euthanasia involves taking steps to deliberately hasten the death of a terminally deliberately hasten the death of a terminally ill person.ill person.

Passive euthanasia is death that is not Passive euthanasia is death that is not caused, but instead is allowed by non-caused, but instead is allowed by non-intervention by medical personnel.intervention by medical personnel.

Your OpinionYour Opinion

Does an individual have a responsibility to Does an individual have a responsibility to stay alive under any circumstances?stay alive under any circumstances?

Does Dr. Kavorkian have the right to assist Does Dr. Kavorkian have the right to assist with suicide, considering his patients are with suicide, considering his patients are experiencing extreme depression?experiencing extreme depression?

Did you know? The most common concern regarding death Did you know? The most common concern regarding death among college students is anxiety over the way they will die? among college students is anxiety over the way they will die?

Being Psychologically “Dead”

Being Psychologically “Dead”

Living empty, joyless lives was equated with being Living empty, joyless lives was equated with being psychologically dead.psychologically dead.

Being in a great hurry to get from one activity to Being in a great hurry to get from one activity to the next may take away from our ability to the next may take away from our ability to appreciate our life experiences.appreciate our life experiences.

Perhaps the best anecdote to this is to make much Perhaps the best anecdote to this is to make much of occasions for celebrations.of occasions for celebrations.

Sources of Personal Growth

Sources of Personal Growth

Intellectual and Emotional

Social

Physical

Celebrations accent moments in life.Celebrations accent moments in life.

Your Turn!Your Turn! Which of the following is Which of the following is notnot one of the one of the

ways of symbolically conquering death ways of symbolically conquering death according to your according to your texttext??

a.a. Living on through one’s childrenLiving on through one’s childrenb.b. Creating great works that will enrich the lives Creating great works that will enrich the lives

of othersof othersc.c. Employing cryogenics until technology Employing cryogenics until technology

advances furtheradvances furtherd.d. Belief in an afterlife (spiritual redemption)Belief in an afterlife (spiritual redemption)e.e. Recognizing that our molecules are Recognizing that our molecules are

indestructible, even if our bodies are notindestructible, even if our bodies are not

Your Turn!Your Turn!

Taking steps to deliberately hasten death Taking steps to deliberately hasten death for the terminally ill is called:for the terminally ill is called:

a.a. active euthanasia.active euthanasia.

b.b. cryonics.cryonics.

c.c. disengagement.disengagement.

d.d. passive euthanasia.passive euthanasia.

e.e. assisted suicide.assisted suicide.

Chapter 4- ReviewChapter 4- Review

Death and Loss

Death and Loss

End of PresentationEnd of Presentation