THE SCIENCE OF DEATH AND DYING ...

THE SCIENCE OF  DEATH AND  DYING 

UNDERSTAND ALL ABOUT DEATH AND HOW TO RECOVER FROM ITS EFFECT.

DEATH AND DYING

Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a livingorganism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury.

Death as aresult of age can be seen as the final conclusion of an individual’s developmental cycle. Death is viewed differently depending on age, culture and religious beliefs. Irrespective of who you are, no one wishes to die.

ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH 

Childhood

Before they attain the ability to perform concrete operations, children do not have an accurate conception to death. They believe death is reversible and can be avoided

Adolescence

Although adolescentsunderstand the nature of death, they do not have a healthy respect for its implications. An adolescent thinks only on how to live not how long to live. In fact they may associate death with glamour or daring deeds of heroism. They would always want to do extreme activities to defy death hence making death not to be feared.

Young Adults

Young adults are at the peak of their physical and sensory abilities and believe that the future has much to offer them. They rarely think of their own death. Consequently the occurrence of life threatening illness usually provokes extreme anger and rage. Young adults with terminal illness are typically very poor hospital patients; they feel death is unfair and they are being robbed of their future.

Middle Adult hood

During the middle ages noticeable physical changes (signs of aging e.g. wrinkled face, weakness in bones etc) in addition to experiences of death of loved ones and other people, make them aware of death. This awareness can lead to a middle life crisis, where an individual may start behaving like they are in an earlier stage like adolescence or improve dietary and exercise habits to become more physically fit and live a long life.

Late adulthood

The elderly have reached a stage of understanding and accepting of this eventuality than the young ones. According to Erik Erikson, at this age they face the crisis of generatively verses stagnation. Generatively in the sense that they have parented children and achieved in their life and also given back to society.With this perspective death is not a very big issue. But if they have not achieved as above, they feel stagnated and may wish to have more time so as to be able to realize achievement.

Death and religious beliefs

All religions, Christians, hindu, islam believe in life after death. The following bible verses, John 11:25, John 3:16,luke 16:19-31 articulate the fact that there is life after death. Islamic doctrine holds that human existence continues after the death of the human body in the form of spiritual and physical resurrection. Faith in life after death is one of the six fundamental beliefs required of a Muslim to complete his faith

Death and cultural beliefs

Almost all cultural beliefs believe in life after death, they perform rituals which are perceived to prepare one for the next world.  Placing the body of the deceased on high ground (a mountain) and leaving it for birds of prey to dispose of, as in Tibet. Birds of prey are carriers of the soul to the heavens

Qn.Describe some culture practices done by your tribe to prepare someone for life after death

Confronting death

Ultimately we must all face our impending death. How will we react?. According to Elisabeth Kubler-Rose, terminally ill patients typically go through five stages in dealing with and understanding death.

Stage one:-Denial

The typical reaction is, this can’t happen to me, because friends and family members may also deny the reality of death the patient feels isolated and has no one with whom to talk.

Stage two:-Anger

Once the reality has been confronted, the not me attitude changes to why me?, complaint. Young and healthy individuals are envied. To move beyond this stage, patients must express their anger and rage.

Stage three:-Bargaining

Once rage and anger have been expressed, terminally ill person bargains for additional time. Such bargains often take the form of prayers such as I will lead a better life if I can only live until…..

Stage four:- Depression

Depression often follows the bargaining stage. As with anger depression should not be hidden. Only by directly confronting and experiencing the normal feelings of sadness and grief will the person be able to progress to the stage of acceptance

Stage five:-acceptances

This stage is characterized by a feeling of being at peace with oneself. Unfinished business such as setting ones finances in order and seeing old friends for a final time, has been taken care of and the person accepts the fact that time is near.

BEREAVEMENT, GRIEF AND SUPPORT

Death brings numerous changed and adjustments for those who are left behind. Roles change, a wife becomes a widow, a husband a widower and a child an orphan

The emotional and role changes that followdeath are called bereavement, all people whose emotions and role Ts change are known as the bereaved. E.g. widows and widowers must assume the responsibility of the deceased spouse and orphans must adjust to a totally new environment.

Grief

The emotional changes associated with bereavement. It’s usually quit difficult to adjust to emotions of bereavement, this process usually progresses through four stages.

Stage one-shock and denial

These reactions serve to protect the individual from the pain of what happens. The stage may last as long as two or three months or even more

Stage two-intense concern

This is characterized by intense concern for perpetuating/extending the memory of the dead person. All thoughts and concern are on the dead person.

Stage three-Despair and depression

Is often characterized by confused thinking and anger. Irrational behaviors e.g. selling ones house and moving away, not caring for one’s self etc

Stage four-Recovery

When the bereaved person shows renewed interest in normal daily activities, he or she has reached the recovery stage. Social support is a key ingredient ina successful copying with death and bereavement.