Dying is
referred to as when someone is at the point of death. It can also be referred
to as the process preceding the actual death of someone with terminal disease.
referred to as when someone is at the point of death. It can also be referred
to as the process preceding the actual death of someone with terminal disease.
Signs of dying
Each
person’s journey to death is unique. Some people have a very gradual decline;
others will fade quickly. There are changes you can expect to see as an adult
body stops working. These are a normal part of dying. Children and teens have a
similar process, but it can be harder to predict. They often stay fairly active
and continue to ask a lot of tough-to-answer questions.
person’s journey to death is unique. Some people have a very gradual decline;
others will fade quickly. There are changes you can expect to see as an adult
body stops working. These are a normal part of dying. Children and teens have a
similar process, but it can be harder to predict. They often stay fairly active
and continue to ask a lot of tough-to-answer questions.
1
to 3 months before death, the person one is likely to:
to 3 months before death, the person one is likely to:
- Sleep or doze more
- Eat and drink less
- Withdraw from people and stop doing things they
used to enjoy - Talk less (but if they are a child, more)
1
to 2 weeks before death, the person may feel tired and drained all the
time, so much that they don’t leave their bed. They could have:
to 2 weeks before death, the person may feel tired and drained all the
time, so much that they don’t leave their bed. They could have:
- Different sleep-wake patterns
- Little appetite and thirst
- Fewer and smaller bowel movements and urinate
less - More pain
- Changes in blood pressure, breathing, and
heart rate - Body temperature ups and downs that may leave
their skin cool, warm, moist, or pale - Congested breathing from the buildup in the
back of their throat - Confusion or seem to be in a daze
Various stages of dying
The
five stages of dying, popularly known by the acronym DABDA, include:
five stages of dying, popularly known by the acronym DABDA, include:
- Denial: The first reaction is denial. In this stage, individuals believe
the diagnosis is somehow mistaken, and cling to a false, preferable
reality. - Anger: When the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue, they
become frustrated, especially at proximate individuals. Certain
psychological responses of a person undergoing this phase would be:
“Why me? It’s not fair!”; “How can this happen to
me?”; “Who is to blame?”; “Why would this
happen?”. - Bargaining: The third stage involves the hope that the
individual can avoid a cause of grief. Usually, the negotiation for an
extended life is made in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. People facing
less serious trauma can bargain or seek compromise. - Depression: “I’m so sad, why bother with
anything?”; “I’m going to die soon, so what’s the point?”;
“I miss my loved one, why go on?”
During the fourth stage, the individual despairs at the recognition of
their mortality. In this state, the individual may become silent, refuse
visitors and spend much of the time mournful and sullen. - Acceptance: “It’s going to be okay.”; “I
can’t fight it; I may as well prepare for it.” In this last stage,
individuals embrace mortality or inevitable future, or that of a loved
one, or other tragic event. People dying may precede the survivors in this
state, which typically comes with a calm, retrospective view for the
individual, and a stable condition of emotions.
