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Three case histories involving individuals suffering from existential death anxiety were administered the Rorschach Inkblot Test to illustrate the responses indicating symbolic death content and death anxiety. The over emphasis on somatic content (many 'Anatomical' responses) on Inkblot tests, might reflected the presence of unconscious anxiety and anticipated decay of one's physical body, may be the plausible symbolic interpretation and indicator of death anxiety. This is not possible if the responses are interpreted using quantitative analysis. In addition,the somatic content demonstrates the healing power of spiritual symbols. The paper will motivate young clinicians and clinical psychologists to use content interpretation to understand the power of projection and take advantage of spiritual symbolism during therapy.
Key Words: Death anxiety, Fears of death.
Subjects related to death and dying have been an area of clinical concern in the literature (Weisman, 1972). As a result, more psychologically sensitive approaches for assisting the dying patient are now evolving. However, questions may be raised concerning the applicability of those accumulating insights to psychological and psychiatric practice. Are fears of death seen in other than terminal patients, and if so, how many they be evaluated by psychological testing?
In attempting to find an answer to this question, attention might be initially given to the psychoanalytic literature. Freud (1953) originally introduces the concept of "thanatos" or death instinct considered to play a significant role in certain types of mental functioning. However, he did not fully develop this concept in his later work. Becker (1973) has suggested that this failure to enlarge upon this theme was due to the fact that he suffered from a type of "Thanatos phobia" himself. The latter, according to Becker, manifested itself psychophysiologically in certain of Freud's fainting spells which were precipitated when he was confronted on the subject of dying by Jung.
Perhaps because many, like Freud, find the subject anxiety provoking, with the exception of the existential therapists, it has tended to remain in the background of thinking relative to everyday clinical practices.
This is not surprising since according to Kubler-Ross (1969) that "in our unconscious death is never possible in regard to ourselves". What is written about the subject appears infrequently but when it does, it is claimed that death anxiety plays a significant...