Fear and death anxiety in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The article analyses the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, with special attention to fear and death anxiety. After contextualizing the great epidemics of history, it reviews the increase in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and insomnia detected in healthcare staff and in the general population since the declaration of the pandemic. The author conceptually delimits fear and anxiety —and their application to death—, describes the determinants of death anxiety (psychological health, personal experiences and existential factor) and its internal and external generators, and argues that the pandemic, perceived as a real threat to life, activates existential fears. The effects of physical distancing, social isolation, economic difficulties, information overload and uncertainty on the risk of depression and suicidal behaviour are examined, as well as the role of the media. It concludes that, despite the difficulty of controlling negative emotions, proactive and optimistic attitudes can help to maintain the balance of mental health.