Thanatology - Lesson 2.2

Manifestations of Grief and Defense Mechanishms

Affect

External expression of emotion

Aggression

The intentional infliction of physical or psychological harm on another

Alarm

Fear or anxiety by the sudden realization of danger created by the impact of shock.

Alienation

The state of estrangement and individual feels in social settings that are viewed as foreign, unpredictable or unacceptable.

Anger

A strong feeling of displeasure and usually antagonism.

Anxiety

Apprehension, dread or uneasiness similar to fear but based on an unclear threat.

Blame

To place responsibility for fault or error.

Death Anxiety

A learned emotional response to death-related phenomenon which is characterized by extreme apprehension. De

Defense Mechanisms

An unconscious mental process used to reduce anxiety.

Denial

The defense mechanism by which a person is unable or refuses to see things as they are because such facts are threatening to the self.D

Displacement

Redirecting feelings toward a person or object other than one who caused the feelings originally.

Frustration

The state of being prevented from attaining a purpose; thwarted; the blocking of the motive satisfaction by some kind of obstacle.

Grief Syndrom

A set of symptoms associated with loss.

Guilt

Blame directed toward one’s self.

Numbness

The feeling of a bereaved person who has no feeling after the death of a close relative.

Panic

A strong emotion characterized by sudden and extrreme fear.

Projection

Attribution of one’s unacceptable thoughts, feelings or behaviors to someone else.

Rationalization

Supplying logical, rational and socially acceptable reason other than the real reason for an action.

Reaction Formation

A defense mechanism by which people behave in a way opposite to what their true but anxiety-provoking feelings would dictate.

Regression

A defense mechanism whereby a person retreats to an earlier level of development or to an earlier less demanding habit or situation.

Repression

Unconscious process by which moments, thoughts or impulses are held out of awareness.

Shame

Blame that perceived to be directed toward one’s self by others.

Shock

The reaction to the body to an event often experienced emotionally as a sudden, violent and upsetting disturbance. A state of collapse characterized by depressed vital signs and possibly unconsciousness as a result of circulatory failure; often accompanies hemorrhage, trauma, burns and serious conditions.

Sublimation

Redirection of emotional energy or unacceptable, impulses to culturally or socially useful purposes.

Suppression

A conscious postponement of addressing anxiety and concerns.

Unconscious

Contents of the mind that are beyond awareness, especially impulses and desires not directly known to a person

• Repression

• Sublimation

• Regression

• Reaction Formation

• Projection

• Denial

• Displacement

• Rationalization

List the 8 defense mechanisms of Grief.

An athlete skips a game to avoid a potentially disheartening failure.

Give an example of reaction formation

• Frustration nothing could be done to prevent the death

• Regressive experience

Anger comes from what 2 sources during normal grief?

• Fear that the survivor can’t survive without the deceased

• Increased awareness of one’s own death

Anxiety during normal grief can come from what 2 sources?

Hollowness of the stomach, tightness of the chest, tightness of the throat, oversencity to noise, depersonalization, shortness of breath, weakness of muscles, lack of energy, dry mouth

List four common physical manifestations of grief.

Disbelief, Confusion, Preoccupation, Sense of presence, Hallucinations.

List three examples of cognitions that may accompany normal grief.

• Emotions

• Physical Sensations

• Cognitions

• Behaviors

List the 4 categories of Manifestations of Grief

Anger, sadness, guilt, anxiety, loneliness, fatigue, helplessness, shock, yearning, emancipation, relief, and numbness.

Give 3 examples of feelings that may accompany during normal grief.

Social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances, avoiding reminders of deceased, crying, hyperactivity.

List 4 examples of normal behaviors in grief.