Existential aspects of experiencing the fear of death in patients with multiple sclerosis

Kayasheva Olga Igorevna

Multiple sclerosis, as a chronic autoimmune and neurological disease, has a complex, difficult-to-predict course. The fear of death in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis manifests itself not only in connection with the possibility of physical termination of their existence, but also the loss of their psychological "I" (including the physical, intellectual and social self). The consequences of multiple sclerosis can be the loss of contact with your body, the development of cognitive impairments, disability and social contacts. Existentially-oriented psychotherapy and counseling contribute to a person's awareness of death as a natural phenomenon accompanying the life of every person, rethinking their role in living life in remission, making their conscious choice and taking responsibility for their existence in real being. Finding significant existential values (meaning of life, etc.) becomes a prevention of suicidal behavior and helps to reduce the level of fear of meeting with the ultimate reality of existence - death.

Keywords: existentialism, existence, death, freedom of choice, self-awareness, autoimmune diseases.