Death, Dying, and Denial in the Aged
LARRY R. KIMSEY M.D.1,
JEAN L. ROBERTS M.D.2, , and
DANIEL L. LOGAN PH.D.3
1 Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas and Timberlawn Psychiatric Center, Dallas, Tex.
2 Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas
3 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas
In response to direct questioning, two dissimilar groups of elderly subjects reported little fear of death or dying. In producing Thematic Apperception Test stories, however, respondents who were well and autonomous used less denial and expressed more affect than did those who were sick and dependent. The authors conclude that aging per se does not result in psychological regression. But denial and constriction of affect are used by the elderly when awareness of their deterioration and dependency compels them to face the dying process.
