What is Death Denial & Anxeity?

What is death denial?

Death denial does not imply that a person believes they are immortal and will never die; it's more complex than that. Earnest Becker, a cultural anthropologist in the 1970s, extensively explored this concept, as I've recommended his book on our Instagram and TikTok pages. According to Becker, the awareness of our inevitable mortality poses a uniquely human problem, leading to existential despair, mental illness, and a sense of helplessness. Consequently, humans have developed various mechanisms to suppress their fear of death. Death denial takes many ritualistic social forms, from belief in an afterlife in religious contexts to dedicating oneself to political causes or national identities that outlive us. In essence, humans struggle to grasp the notion that life ultimately lacks inherent meaning. The pursuit of life's purpose comes to mind—it's akin to living and dying, much like a houseplant.

At first glance, religious beliefs or lifelong commitments may not seem problematic. However, issues arise when individuals invest all their energy, resources, and sanity into these pursuits. Throughout history, wars have been waged over religion, fueled by the belief that one's god will provide an afterlife, validating one's existence. Governments and rulers have capitalised on this belief to manipulate societies for their gain.

While many immortality projects, such as an author's writings or an architect's monuments, bring joy long after the creator's passing, they can also have negative consequences. On an individual level, death denial poses challenges in palliative and hospice care, where patients or their families may resist acknowledging impending death, hindering treatment planning and end-of-life discussions.

However, the most pervasive form of death denial is seen in individuals who believe "it will never happen to me." Whether it's a teenager experimenting with drugs or a ship's captain underestimating the risk of sinking, denying the inevitability of death does not make it any less real.

What is death anxiety?

Death anxiety is a more straightforward manifestation of the fear of death. It can manifest as a constant fear of when death will occur, dread of the dying process or separation from loved ones, or a general fear of the unknown. While most people experience some degree of death anxiety due to the inevitability of death, it should not hinder one's ability to function. Therapy can be beneficial for those whose anxiety impedes their daily lives. Our YouTube channel aims to normalize discussions about death, alleviating fears and fostering open dialogue. By confronting our mortality head-on, we can reclaim our power over death's dominion and embrace life's fleeting moments.

Link to the video from May 2022 on our YouTube channel:Youtube channel:https://youtu.be/3Z1Sj9XVNtY