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The mental state of a dying person is influenced by several factors, such as his character, medications taken and the type of death. It happens that dying turns into a long process during which the body and psyche slowly prepare for departure. How do people approaching the end of their lives feel? Can we do something to ease their suffering? Karolina Sawka answers these questions in an interview with Medonet.
How to help a dying person? This is true proof of love
Karolina Sawka is a psycho-oncologist and psychotherapist. On a daily basis, she works at the West Pomeranian Oncology Center, where she conducts psychotherapy for people with cancer, as well as their relatives who care for the patient. The family often pushes away the thought of the death of a loved one and hopes that his condition will improve soon. – In such a situation, the dying person often does not want to disappoint their relatives and pretends that there will be an improvement, although he does not really feel it – says Sawka. The expert emphasizes that letting someone go is one of the greatest proofs of love for them. This does not mean that we have given up and we no longer want to fight for the patient’s health.
What is sedation? What is the first sign of dying?
Sometimes sedation, or deliberate shutdown of consciousness, is used to ease the mental pain of the dying person. If the body no longer functions even on a basic level, and the patient is aware of this and bedridden, then the dying process has begun. Physiological processes disappear, the patient does not feel hunger or thirst. Sedation is intended to calm the patient, who at such a moment is aware that he is dying and there is nothing he can do about it.
During the process of dying, various emotions may appear, such as grief, frustration. Voices telling the sick to eat at least a spoonful of soup or drink water will not help. At this point, the patient no longer feels the need, and the persuasions of the family can only stress him that he is unable to do what they ask him to do.
What to do when a loved one dies? Simple gestures count
The psychotherapist says that the most important thing is to be with the patient in difficult times and hold his hand. You can ask what he needs and if we can do something for him. It can be simple things, such as opening a window or meeting a specific person. Sawka emphasizes that we should not be afraid of tears. “Your mother is well aware of the situation and knows that you are suffering. Crying together can be cathartic, she explains. It is worth remembering that for a dying person this condition is extremely difficult. – The most important thing that dying takes away is the control over oneself and one’s own life. It’s a terrible thing for a man – sums up Karolina. Sawka runs an Instagram account Last.Kropka, where she is followed by over 1,200 people.
Source: Gazeta
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