Death Anxiety | Terror Management Theory (TMT)
Channel: Waziri Wa Akili (Rodgers Wafula)
Date: 2023-04-20

Death anxiety is a psychological concept that refers to the fear or anxiety associated with the idea of one's own death or the death of others. Death anxiety can manifest in many ways, including through feelings of dread or panic, preoccupation with death or dying, or avoidance of death-related topics or situations.

Terror Management Theory (TMT) is a theory in psychology that attempts to explain how humans deal with the awareness of their own mortality. According to TMT, the awareness of one's own mortality can cause profound anxiety and distress, but humans have developed various psychological defense mechanisms to help manage this anxiety. These defense mechanisms can include a strong attachment to cultural beliefs, values, and traditions, as well as the pursuit of goals and achievements that help us feel like our lives have meaning and purpose.

TMT proposes that these defense mechanisms help us maintain a sense of self-esteem and meaning in life, which helps us cope with the anxiety associated with death. For example, a person who is deeply committed to a religious or cultural belief system may find comfort in the belief that there is an afterlife, or that their life has a greater purpose beyond their physical existence