What is the other name for fear of death?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Explanation

Thanatophobia is the clinical term for an intense and persistent fear of one's own death or the process of dying.
The term is derived from Greek mythology, where 'Thanatos' was the personification of death and 'phobos' means fear.
It is classified as a specific phobia, which is a type of anxiety disorder that can cause significant distress and avoidance behaviors.

Option B: This is incorrect. Claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed or confined spaces, such as elevators, small rooms, or crowded places.
Option C: This is incorrect. Acrophobia is the fear of heights.
Option D: This is incorrect. Gamophobia is the fear of marriage or entering into a committed relationship.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart listing common specific phobias (like Acrophobia, Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia) with their corresponding fears, helping to visually differentiate between them.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology of Specific Phobias as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to recognize signs of thanatophobia in patients, especially those with terminal illnesses or in palliative care, to provide appropriate psychological support and referrals.
Understanding a patient's specific phobia is crucial for providing holistic care and avoiding triggers that could cause severe anxiety or panic attacks during procedures or hospitalization.
What if? If a patient with severe claustrophobia requires an urgent MRI scan, the nurse's role would be to advocate for the patient, explain the procedure clearly, teach relaxation techniques, ensure communication is maintained during the scan, and facilitate the administration of prescribed anxiolytics if ordered.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of medical terminology, specifically psychiatric terms.
First, identify the key concept in the question stem: 'fear of death'.
Next, analyze the options provided. All options end in '-phobia', indicating they are types of fears.
Recall or deduce the meaning of each prefix. 'Thanatos' is the Greek personification of death.
Match the definition 'fear of death' with the correct term, 'Thanatophobia', and eliminate the other options by recalling their definitions (claustro- for enclosed spaces, acro- for heights, gamo- for marriage).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-3rd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.