Jasmeen Gill is a Registered Social Worker and is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Psychology. Her experience in the health care field has provided her invaluable experiences and insights into the various challenges individuals face when navigating life. She has supported individuals from all walks of life who have struggled with crisis, trauma, and grief and loss. As a hospital social worker Jasmeen has experienced the trauma family members go through when a loved one passes. Many times individuals do not prepare for end of life and experience anxiety even thinking about their death. Jasmeen shares her experiences of utilizing existential therapy for death anxiety.
Death is a universal concern all humans have that has prompted many artistic, philosophical, and medical reflections throughout history. All individuals are aware of their limited lifespans and adapt accordingly. It is important to note that this is especially important for people with terminal illnesses. These individuals may experience worsening symptoms as their illness worsens, this automatically makes them aware that death may be near. This can cause an individual to have an existential crisis known as death anxiety. Other examples where death anxiety may peak is with individuals that have panic disorders, and they fear having a heart attack and dying. Additionally, some individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may feel the ongoing urge to check things multiple times to ensure that they are safe.
As research suggests that at least thirteen different types of mental disorders, including anxiety disorders, addictive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma-related disorders, depressive disorders, and somatic symptom-related disorders, are significantly correlated with death anxiety. Humans are constantly haunted by the knowledge that they will develop, blossom, and inevitably decline and pass away (Yalom, 2008). It is important to note that death can incite fears related to loss of control, separation, powerlessness, and meaninglessness (Iverach et al., 2014). Also, for some individuals, death anxiety can negate fulfillment and happiness. On the other hand, an existentialist would say that the knowledge of impending death and the desire to live creates a fundamental internal conflict (Yalom & Josselson, 2019). Additionally, people develop defenses against the awareness of death in order to cope with their death anxiety.
Death is one of existential psychotherapy’s four ultimate concerns and the most pressing concern for human nature. Existential psychotherapy is one form of therapy that works with individuals who are apprehensive of their mortality. Existential psychotherapy views an individual as a complete person, not just aspects of them such as their drive, relational patterns, unconscious mind, or adverse childhood experiences (Yalom & Josselson, 2019). Existential therapy is centered on the subjective concerns of human existence, and existential thinking yields no manual but is an attitude toward human suffering (Yalom & Josselson, 2019). Individuals are recognized as feeling, thinking, struggling, and suffering while having hopes, relationships, and fears and working towards creating meaningful lives.
Moreover, existential psychotherapy asks in-depth questions about an individual’s nature and anxiety, despair, grief, loneliness, isolation, and anomie. It poses curiosity about purpose, imagination, and love. An existentialist believes all individuals must confront life’s ultimate concerns: death, freedom, isolation, and meaning. Additionally, existentialists believe that reflecting on our mortalities is how an individual will learn to live an enriched life. Lastly, existential therapy is not an intervention or technique but rather an encounter with one’s existence directly and essentially while working in alliance with the therapist.
If you are facing challenges with your health or grief after the loss of a loved one, speaking with an experienced professional may help to process your emotions and move to towards healing. Jasmeen is available for appointments via telehealth.