In dying as in living, all the elements that make up our lives are important, and care must extend beyond attention to the illness and its effects, to encompass the whole person. At the end of life, many grapple with connection and relationships, questions of meaning, and legacy.
Existential suffering can emerge when people are facing these core issues of personhood without the resources to draw on (either from within themselves or from those around them). The resulting distress is pervasive for the person but also for the people who care for them – leading to a sense of helplessness for family caregivers and indeed, also for health care providers.
Drawing on the published literature and clinical experience, this presentation will explore the nature of existential distress, how it may manifest and be recognised and potential responses for health professionals providing care.