Death anxiety: Why, when, and how to treat it

Presenter: Rachel Menzies

The University of Sydney; Menzies Anxiety Centre

Death has famously been described as “the worm at the core” of human existence. Could the fear of death be the unspoken driver of many of the problems people present with clinically?  This presentation will highlight the importance of considering death anxiety in our conceptualisations and treatments of mental health concerns.

Growing research suggests that death anxiety is a transdiagnostic construct underpinning various mental health concerns. Understanding the role of death anxiety in mental health, and principles for addressing it in treatment, may be essential to helping people achieve stable, long-term recovery. This presentation will provide an up-to-date summary of the latest findings regarding death anxiety and mental health. It will cover the various disorders in which death anxiety is most relevant, strategies for assessing death anxiety, and the rationale and principles for targeting death anxiety in treatment.

About this event:

The format will be informal, with opportunity for questions following the presentation.

Key Learning Objectives

1. Understand the role of death anxiety in mental health conditions
2. Be familiar with relevant assessment tools for death anxiety
3. Understand the principles of treating death anxiety

This session is designed for those with a casual familiarity of death anxiety.

Duration & Format / Training Modalities

This session has approx. 60 minutes CPD, and does not include any catering in the ticket price.

Door opens at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

References – readings

• Iverach, L., Menzies, R.G., & Menzies, R.E. (2014).  Death anxiety and its role in psychopathology: Reviewing the status of a transdiagnostic construct. Clinical Psychology Review, 34, 580-593.
• Menzies, R.E., & Menzies, R.G. (2022). Death anxiety and mental health: Requiem for a dreamer. Invited paper for Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 78, 10187.
• Menzies, R.E., Zuccala, M., Sharpe, L., & Dar-Nimrod, I. (2018). The effects of psychosocial interventions on death anxiety: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 59, 64-73.
• Menzies, R.E., Julien, A., Sharpe, L., Menzies, R.G., Helgadottir, F.D., & Dar-Nimrod, I. (2023). Overcoming death anxiety: A phase I trial of an online CBT program in a clinical sample. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy.

AACBT student members have free tickets, but MUST book to reserve their place.

Non-members can join now and gain all of the other advantages of AACBT Membership!

There are no early bird rates for this event and please note that there are no door sales possible.

Please contact info@aacbt.org.au for more information.

COVID Safety:

Please note, the venue will be following all relevant Public Health Orders and checking delegates as per their obligations. Density, and mask requirements will be in line with relevant government guidelines. As per all events, please do not attend if you are unwell.

If you are required to cancel your attendance owing to a COVID isolation, please contact us for a full refund or ticket transfer.

Images: supplied