Ocd - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - 131367 Words

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR OCD This page intentionally left blank COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR OCD DAVID A. CLARK THE GUILFORD PRESS New York London  © 2004 The Guilford Press A Division of Guilford Publications, Inc. 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012 www.guilford.com All rights reserved Paperback edition 2007 Except as noted, no part of this book may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher. Printed in the United States of America This book is printed on acid-free paper. Last digit is print number: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 LIMITED†¦show more content†¦However, by the late 1980s and early 1990s, behavioral researchers like Paul Salkovskis and Jack Rachman were advocating a more integrative theory and treatment of OCD, an approach that amalgamated the behavioral treatment of OCD with Beck’s (1976) cognitive theory of emotional disorders. From these two theoretical perspectives on clinical disorders, a new cognitive-behavioral approach to o bsessions and compulsions was born. In many respects, my own professional development has taken a path similar to that seen in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for obsessional states. My roots are in the behavioral tradition, dating back to the early 1980s when I was a graduate student at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, England. My interest in OCD and unwanted intrusive thoughts was sparked by the stimulating discussions and innovative research of the clinical faculty, most notably Jack Rachman and Padmal de Silva. My doctoral thesis on the psychophysiology of mental control and unwanted intrusive thoughts was an outgrowth of their insights into the pathology of obsessional thought. vii viii Preface In the late 1980s, I was introduced to the cognitive perspective on clinical disorders by Aaron T. Beck. I was privileged to spend a few months at the Center for Cognitive Therapy in Philadelphia, where I received training in Beck’s therapy approach. Over the last 15 years I haveShow MoreRelatedOcd Speech991 Words   |  4 Pagespersonally suffer from OCD, I have met people who do. I do, however, believe that everyone has something in his/her life that requires repetition until perfection. For instance, when I draw or create artwork, it has to be perfect down to the last pencil, pen, crayon, paint, or charcoal mark. If even one thing is out of place, it will bother me and I will constantly dwell on it until it is fixed. This is not truly a form of OCD, but it does give me a taste of what those who suffer from OCD go through on aRead MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder ( Ocd )1429 Words   |  6 PagesObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric illness that is characte rized by two traits: obsessions and compulsions (Storch et al., 2007). The obsessions are typically thoughts that are both repetitive and intrusive in nature, while the compulsions are actions performed to decrease the anxiety induced by these obsessions. OCD occurs in about 1-4% of the population and often symptoms arise in childhood and can continue throughout one’s life depending on the level of treatment received and the levelRead MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder ( Ocd )1601 Words   |  7 PagesBrief Overview Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by constant intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that normally cause anxiety or distress which can only be alleviated by performing repetitive actions (compulsions) (Rahimi, Haghighi, and Shamsaei, 2015). Nearly everyone has experienced something similar to these obsessions and compulsions at some point in their life but this experience can only be labeled as OCD when it occurs at least one hour per day andRead More Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essay example1575 Words   |  7 Pagescompulsive disorder (OCD). It was once thought that OCD was rare; however, recently it has been found that 2-3% (or 7 million Americans) of people have OCD. People with OCD are usually diagnosed by between the ages of 20 and 30, and about 75% of those who will develop OCD will show symptoms by age 30. (1) This leads to a couple questions that need to be answered: What is OCD? What causes it, and what is the most effective tr eatment? These questions will be answered throughout the paper. OCD is an anxietyRead MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder ( Ocd )974 Words   |  4 Pagesdisorders have different attributes and characteristics which makes them unique and requires different treatments too. one of these mental disorders that quite a number of people suffer from – whether they are conscious about it or not – is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). But what is OCD? How does it affect our daily lives? What is OCD? obsessive compulsive disorder, often referred to as OCD, is a mental health disorder that may affect people of all gender, age and walks of life. It is a commonRead MoreObsessive-Compulsive Disorder Essay939 Words   |  4 Pagesknown as OCD, is a psychiatric anxiety disorder that is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts along with repetitive behaviors. These unwanted thoughts are called obsessions and the repetitive behaviors are called compulsions. Repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, checking, counting, and cleaning are usually performed with the hope of making these obsessive thoughts go away or even preventing them. These repetitive behaviors are often referred to as ‘rituals’. People with OCD performRead MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder ( Ocd )1224 Words   |  5 PagesDisorder, otherwise known as OCD, has on an individual. The paper will explain and interpret the link between obsession and compulsion that is characteristic of being diagnosed with OCD. In addition, this paper will describe the impact having this disorder can have on an individual in their day to day lives. This paper will clearly articulate exactly what the definition of having OCD is and how often it is self-diagnosed in error. In addition, the paper will provide symptoms along with real world examplesRead MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder ( Ocd )1114 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Obsessive compulsive disorder is influenced by neurological factors with symptoms such as repeating steps, continuously washing their hands, and having a fear of objects like germs. Although there is no cure, there are treatments such as medication and therapy that can help lessen the patient’s anxiety and discomfort. What is obsessive compulsive disorder? Obsessive compulsive disorder also known as OCD, is an anxiety disorder. People who have this disorder have repetitive thoughts andRead MoreThe Identification and Treatment of OCD Essay1221 Words   |  5 PagesThere are many different aspects to the identification and treatment of OCD and this paper attempts to identify classic symptoms and theorized risk factors/causes. In addition it explores the viable treatment options and evaluates the efficiency of each in alleviating symptoms while discussing how each treatment functions to facilitate recovery. Furthermore, it assesses the extent to which the treatments may be used together to maximize effectiveness and then provides a probable prognosis. VerifyingRead MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder ( Ocd )1602 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder foundation ( (International OCD Foundation, 2016), â€Å"OCD is a medical brain disorder that causes problems in information processing.† They compare OCD to a brain spasm; the brain freezes on a certain thought and cannot move forward. The brain is incapable of dealing with thoughts of worry or doubt. This causes many side effects that can clearly distinguish a person as OCD. Obsessive compulsive disorder is a disease that many people know of, but few people

Anti-Gravity Water Science Magic Trick

Amaze your friends with this simple science magic trick that turns ordinary water into anti-gravity water. Materials for the Water Trick Water glass with a round rim (wine glass or typical water glass)T-shirtWater Basically, all you need is water, a glass, and a cloth. A T-shirt is easy to find. Other excellent choices for the fabric would be a handkerchief, square of silk, or mens dress shirt. Choose a fabric with a tight weave or knit. Perform the Anti-Gravity Water Trick Place the cloth over the glass.Use your hand to push a depression into the fabric. This is so you can more easily fill the glass and also helps wet the material.Fill the glass about three-quarters full of water.Pull the fabric tightly over the glass.You have two choices here. You can quickly flip the glass, using a hand to hold the fabric tight. Alternatively, you can put one hand over the top of the glass, while using the other to hold the material tight over the glass and slowly invert the glass. Pull the hand over the glass away.The water doesnt pour out! How It Works Water has a high surface tension. In this trick, the water molecules absorbed into the fabric hold onto other water molecules inside the water glass. Even though there are gaps in the fabric, the attraction between water molecules overcomes the force of gravity trying to pull the water down. What do you think would happen if you lowered the surface tension of the water by using a glass that had a residue of detergent on it? What if you tried the trick with another liquid? Chances are good the surface tension of the water would be lowered enough that youd get wet! Another fun trick that works on the same principle is Magic Colored Milk.

Should We Become Hardened And Strong. The Industrial...

need to become hardened and strong. The Industrial Revolution was ultimately when man made fossil fuels became a problem for the environment. Before it, about 98% of Earth’s coral reefs were surrounded by waters with adequate aragonite saturation stats, which helped them maintain a healthy ecosystem (Oceana, 2014). However, now almost 60% of coral reefs are in waters that have less adequate aragonite saturated stats (Oceana, 2014), meaning that maintaining their hardened exterior has become increasingly difficult for coral across the globe. Researchers say that if the carbon dioxide concentration increases to 450 parts per meter (ppm), which it will if carbon dioxide emission is not controlled, over 90% of coral reefs will be in waters that cannot sustain the aragonite they need to survive (Oceana, 2014). Due to the rapid increase of carbon dioxide emissions, scientists believe that this is not far off. In fact, they fear that the concentration may double that of what it was p rior to the Industrial Revolution, which would result in stopping coral growth entirely, and all existing coral reefs will begin to erode (Oceana, 2014). A prime example of some of the major damage being done to coral reef habitats is the Great Barrier Reef itself. The Great Barrier Reef is home to almost 400 types of coral, one of the biggest collections in the world (Iacurci, 2014). It is also home to over 1,500 species of fish, as well as 4,000 different types of mollusks (Iacurci, 2014). The GreatShow MoreRelatedThe End Of The Civil War1228 Words   |  5 Pagesand later the political conflict between Johnson and the Radical Republicans, and lastly, the political struggle between Republicans and Democrats. It all resulted in the ever-changing policies toward the freed people. These different policies had strong effects on the society, especially the freed people. Although some of the policies, such as the abolition of slavery and several Constitutional Amendments were benefici al to the rights of freed people, the sudden increase of freed people brought aboutRead More A Comparison of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen Essay2446 Words   |  10 PagesLANGUAGE ESSAY Of the many authors to emerge during the nineteenth-century, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen were among the few who would make a lasting impression on the literary world for generations. Hard Times, often referred to as Dickens’ ‘Industrial novel’ and Austen’s Pride and Prejudice have been much read and well-loved classics for many years. It is the purpose of this essay to compare and contrast the different worlds depicted in both Hard Times and Pride and Prejudice. It will alsoRead MoreRatio Analysis Comparative Study7342 Words   |  30 Pagesperforming industry will always attract investors as it will give them a return in a less time period. But it is not easy for a layman to understand or to properly analyze the performance of the company. To understand the performance of any company we have to do financial statement analysis. Ratio analysis is a widely used tool of financial analysis. It is defined as the systematic use of ratio to interpret the financial statements so that the strength and weaknesses of a firm as well as its historicalRead MoreProject Report on Britannia5828 Words   |  24 PagesQuestionnaire ACKNOWLEDGEMENT A work is never a work of an individual. We owe a sense of gratitude to the intelligence and co-operation of those people who had been so easy to let us understand what we needed from time to time for completion of this exclusive project. We want to express our gratitude towards Mrs. Susheela Chamoli, Marketing Faculty, IIPM Delhi for giving us an opportunity to do this project. Last but not the least, we would like to forward our gratitude to our friends other facultyRead MoreLast 5 Years Trend Analysis Report of a Company6742 Words   |  27 Pagesperforming industry will always attract investors as it will give them a return in a less time period. But it is not easy for a layman to understand or to properly analyze the performance of the company. To understand the performance of any company we have to do financial statement analysis. Ratio analysis is a widely used tool of financial analysis. It is defined as the systematic use of ratio to interpret the financial statements so that the strength and weaknesses of a firm as well as its historicalRead MoreA Project Report On Industrial Training9125 Words   |  37 PagesTECHNOLOGY IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FROM AMITY UNIVERSITY NOIDA SEC -125 JK LAKSHMI CEMENT, SIROHI, RAJASTHAN. BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE It is certified that this report on industrial training at JK Lakshmi Cement Plant, Sirohi, Rajasthan is the bonafide work of â€Å"PRAKHAR WADHAWAN† who carried out the training under our guidance. L.B. Sharma B B wadhawan Read MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesof Environmental Transitions †¢ Richard P. Tucker 315 About the Contributors †¢ 343 _ IN TR OD UC TIO N Michael Adas B y any of the customary measures we deploy to demarcate historical epochs, the twentieth century does not appear to be a very coherent unit. The beginnings and ends of what we choose to call centuries are almost invariably years of little significance. But there is little agreement over when the twentieth century c.e. arrived, and there were severalRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pagestogether the very diverse strands of work that today qualify as constituting the subject of organisational theory. Whilst their writing is accessible and engaging, their approach is scholarly and serious. It is so easy for students (and indeed others who should know better) to trivialize this very problematic and challenging subject. This is not the case with the present book. This is a book that deserves to achieve a wide readership. Professor Stephen Ackroyd, Lancaster University, UK This new textbookRead MoreModern History.Hsc.2012 Essay25799 Words   |  104 Pagesbusiness. But with the onset of the Depression, industrial output fell dramatically. (statistics needed). To combat this, the federal government adopted a role of directly stimulating industrial growth. The Public Works Administration (PWA) instituted in began many large industrial projects with t he aim of spurring the economy and providing many jobs. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was a federal project to energise the economy through a massive industrial scheme sponsored by the federal governmentRead MoreA Study on the Effectivity of the Philippine Prison System10770 Words   |  44 Pagespurpose for which it was established, the methods it employs, and the management strategy being used. It tries to present as candidly as possible conditions inside the prison, the problems, living conditions, activities. And finally, in our modest way, we offer some recommendations and proposed solutions. II. 11ETHODOLOGY The group engaged in theoretical as well as empirical research. For the latter the 11unicipal Jail .o f Romblon, Quezon City Jail, Provincial Jail of Batangas and the New Bilibid

The Poverty Of South Africa - 1509 Words

The three wealthiest families in the world have more assets than the combined wealth of the forty eight poorest nations. Just like how most money is in the hands of the few, during apartheid most power was in the minority leaving others to suffer without a chance to truly achieve their potential. In South Africa it became extreme to the point where certain races could only live in certain areas; clearly it lasted much too long.The main reasons why it lasted so long was because of the segregational laws, failed rallies; and lack of a leader. First we need a basic understanding of the apartheid system in South Africa. Apartheid was the structure of government in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. It was Established by the National Party which was the government at the time. The term â€Å"apartheid† literally means apartment and was used to keep the white minority in power. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the segregational system didn’t exist before 1948, it just means that it became official then. One of the most distinguishing things about apartheid is its degrading laws. These laws were one of the main reasons why apartheid lasted so long. One of these laws was the Race classification act.This basically meant that everyone was classified according to race. It involved lots testing and continuously change between the races for example in 1984; 518 coloured people were defined as white; 2 whites were called chinese; 1 white was reclassified indian; 1 white becameShow MoreRelatedRacism And Poverty : South Africa1640 Words   |  7 PagesSince it’s foundation, South Africa has faced significant issues with racism and poverty. From the times of colonialism, to the era of apartheid, South Africans have been segregated in discriminatory contexts that have left a large proportion of the population living in desperate conditions. This segregation by race and socioeconomic status still exists today and is extremely prevalent in modern South African society. Townships that are prone to violence and extreme poverty surround every major cityRead MorePoverty in South Africa Essay475 Words   |  2 PagesPoverty is one of the greatest problems facing South Africa. South African families live in very unsatisfactory conditions. The South African government works hard to bring down the rate of poverty but it also seems to increase as they try. The majority of the South African people are unemployed or else the breadwinner of the family looses the job or dies. In that situation the family has nobody to provide them with the basic needs of life. The children have no money to go to school and that aloneRead MoreExtremes of Riches and Poverty in Cape Town, South Africa1129 Words   |  4 PagesBig cities of the rich American world comprise great extremes of wealth and poverty. The same is true of the cities of the poor world, if not more true. South Africa’s Cape Town could easily be said to straddle both the rich and the poor worlds in one city. Specifically, Cape Town experienced racial segregation during and after apartheid, which contributed to the making of rigid class systems. Also, globalization and economic aspects forced segregation of this urban space. With all of these factorsRead MoreThe Gretest Poverty of All: Bieng Unwanted, Unloved and Uncared For 1042 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"We think sometimes tha t poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.† (Mother Teresa) South Africa’s poverty affects the country in numerous ways; however and the most vulnerable margin in the country is the most effected. Children are the most vulnerable aspect in any country, as they are still developing, and don’t have the resources to be independent; they are also only able to take what they are given withoutRead MoreGender Roles And Gender Inequality1576 Words   |  7 Pagesgender roles and gender inequality that persists in South Africa help not only to explain their unbelievably difficult daily burdens but it also aids in the understanding of the lack of economic and political representation of women in the region (Bentley, 2004). Within South Africa there is a significant gap in the lack of opportunity and representation of women within the economic and political sphere, which directly correlates to their poverty. Often times the universal equality and importanceRead MoreThe Multifaceted State Of South Africa Underwent Vast Reconstruction1518 Words   |  7 PagesThe multifaceted state of South Africa underwent vast reconstruction after the end of the apartheid in 1994 and experienced transformative changes in the racial, economic and societal relations of the region. Aside from the divisions and devastations the country faced as a result of apartheid the country also opened its economy to international business, deregulating major sectors of its economy and engaging in trade liberalization policies in an attempt to spur economic growth and internationalRead MoreCase Study : South Africa Essay1498 Words   |  6 PagesCase study: South Africa South Africa is an upper-middle income country with a population of 52 million people and a GDP of 312.80 billion US dollars (â€Å"Statistics South Africa | The South Africa I Know, The Home I Understand†, n.d.). The country has the second largest economy in Africa; it plays a prominent role in sub-Saharan Africa and in the continent as a whole. South Africa was hugely shaped by the apartheid legacy, a system of racial segregation that began during the colonial rule and was officiallyRead MoreThe Effects of Globalization1678 Words   |  7 Pageswhich is commonly referred to as a global village (Egnatz, 2011). South Africa is integrated highly into the world economy. South Africa is the strongest African economy and has attained positions like being a member of G8 .All these are as a result of globalization. Globalization has had an impact on the economy, the government and social nature resulting to some effects. The paper will look at how globalization has affected South Africa under several categories. It will also give an explanation onRead MoreFreedom Of Choice : South Africa1241 Words   |  5 PagesLibertaria seeks to create absolute freedom for its people. In South Africa, people are free in numerous ways for instance South Africans are free to express themselves, go wherever they want, and follow any religion. Furthermore, Libertarians believe in freedom of choice which is the same belief occurring in South Africa. Freedom plays a major role in South Africa’s Bill of Rights, and is a reoccuring theme throughout South African laws and politics. The economic issue in Libetaria is that theRead MoreTo what extent is reducing the number of people living in absolute poverty sufficient to achieve economic growth and development?1222 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿To what extent is reducing the number of people living in absolute poverty sufficient to achieve economic growth and development? Absolute poverty measures the number of people living below a certain income threshold or the number of households unable to afford certain basic goods and services. Much of the poverty in developing countries, such as South Africa, tends to be absolute poverty. Economic growth can be defined as steady growth in the productive capacity of the economy. Short term growth

Ihg’s Corporate Strategy “The Winning Ways” Free Essays

IHG’s corporate strategy: ‘The winning ways’ IHG’s mission statement is: ‘to become the greatest company in the world through creating great hotels guests love’. IHG’s road map for growth is dependent on engagement and high performance from the entire workforce. In order to achieve this, IHG designed a set of values, known as ‘the winning ways’. We will write a custom essay sample on Ihg’s Corporate Strategy: â€Å"The Winning Ways† or any similar topic only for you Order Now The winning ways serve as ‘a road map’, which enables IHG to reach their long-term vision. IHG’s winning ways will act as the foundation for how they go about their business. More specifically, the winning ways are fundamental to enhancing relationships with guests, colleagues and business owners. This new way of working will also support and drive the organization’s growth. But what are the winning ways and how exactly will one measure the strategy’s success? The winning ways are as follows: Do The Right Thing – â€Å"We aim to do what we believe is right and have the courage and conviction to put it into practice. We are honest and straightforward and see our decisions through. † Show We Care – â€Å"We want to be a company that understands people’s needs better than anyone else in our industry. This means being sensitive to others, noticing the things that matter and taking responsibility for getting things right. Aim Higher – â€Å"We aim to be acknowledged industry leaders, and have built a team of talented people who have a will to be the best. We strive for success and we value individuals who are always looking for better ways to do things. † Celebrate Difference – â€Å"We believe it is the knowledge of our people that brings our brands to life. We do not impose a rigid, uniform view of the world. Our global strength comes from celebrating local differences, while knowing that some things should be the same. † Work Better Together – â€Å"We are at our best when we collaborate to form a powerful team. We listen to each other and combine our expertise to create a strong, focused, supportive and trusted team of people. † The winning ways outline IHG’s culture as being a world leading hotel group. This unique strategy has been rolled out across the entire group and in order to measure the success of the winning ways, employee satisfaction surveys are used. Basically, IHG acknowledges that their people are the most important element for success, because they are responsible for bringing IHG’s brands (within IHG, there are seven hotel brands) to life for guests. IHG uses its’ winning ways strategy to put personnel ‘in the spotlight’ and therefore making employees satisfied, in which they will portray their gratification towards guests. In conclusion, IHG’s winning ways strategy is a smart, yet simple approach to reach their mission statement. The winning ways can also be referred to as their guideline or bible to guide the hotel group towards their long-term vision. IHG’s winning ways are how personnel should behave on a daily basis; a set of behaviors based on their values which is ultimately absorbed by the entire workforce and transferred to the guests. By creating a consistent and reliable workforce, IHG can be sure that their winning ways strategy is the perfect route to success, because after all, guest satisfaction is everything in the hotel industry. References Robert Dransfield (2001), Corporate Strategy – 1st edition, Guildford, England, Heinemann Laura Pratt (2011), Hotelier Magazine – People Pleasers: IHG Aims to Please as Pinnacles 2011 Company of the Year Allison Shirreffs (2011), Atlanta Business Chronicle – InterContinental Hotels Group: Best places to work InterContinental Hotels Group corporate website: http://www. ihgplc. com/index. asp [pic] How to cite Ihg’s Corporate Strategy: â€Å"The Winning Ways†, Papers

Don DeLillo Essay Example For Students

Don DeLillo Essay Death is part of the process of life. It has been delayed by medical science, ignored by society and disregarded by many of the young. Yet it still exists, lurking in the back of our minds. Each day we live, we all move closer to the moment of our death, but if we allow this thought to preoccupy our existence, it will prevent us from living our life to the fullest due to an intrusion of dread of fear of death and dying. Don DeLillos post modern novel White Noise is a representation of this social fear and the way in which we are always aware of death but do not wish to acknowledge it due to fear. In this way death can be seen as the white noise, which is always present in our life but not always heard. The characters in this novel must first face the inevitability of death for it is only with final acceptance that peace can be found. Death is present throughout the novel and while the characters know it is there, they often hide behind reality instead of facing it. Jack Gladney is the founder and professor of Hitler Studies at the College-on-the Hill. There is not a more appropriate twentieth century icon that represents death than that of Hitler. Jack surrounds himself with his work, reading deeply into Hitler well into the night (DeLillo, 2057). The chancellor at the college even convinced Jack to alter his name, encouraged him to gain weight, and basically grow out into Hitler. And yet he hesitates to learn German because he sensed the deathly power of the language (DeLillo, 2066). With Jacks occupation comes the constant topic of death. A topic that arouses a lot of questions and curiosity in Jack, yet he is afraid to find the answers. When Babette reads everyones horoscopes, he tries not to listen, although I think I wanted to listen, I think I sought some clues (DeLillo, 2058). In a conversation with his so n, coincidentally named Heinrich, he is confronted with the thought of leaving a legacy as his sons convicted murderer had intended. At first he believes that he will not go down in history but is then reaffirmed that he has Hitler. In hiding behind his internationally known program of Hitler studies, he is attempting to give himself immortality, leaving behind a reputation no one will soon forget. Jack constantly wonders who will die first, regarding himself and his wife, because the question of dying becomes a wise reminder. It cures our innocence of the future (DeLillio, 2057). When he is jarred awake from a myoclonic jerk he immediate references death, thinking death should be a swan dive, graceful, white-winged and smooth (DeLillo, 2058). These thoughts are what Jack clings to in an attempt to suppress his fear of death. The fear death is on an individual level and many characters in the book, including Jack and those who live and work with him, display this fear throughout the story. This surrounding fear only acts as a catalysis to increase Jacks fears. Murray says of the world The eventual heat-death of the universe that scientists love to talk about is already well underway and you can feel it happening all around you in any large or medium-sized city. Heat and wetness. (DeLillo, 2054). This can be interpreted as referring to the slow death the city, and indeed the whole world suffers from. The reality of life is that as soon as we are born, every day takes us closer to death. This phrase makes the universe sound almost claustrophobic and feverish, as if it is already suffering. As soon as Murray says it, Jack changes the subject. This illustrates Jacks discomfort with death, especially in the face of a person who holds these ideas and opinions. In fact, Murray seems to be the only character in the story who has come to some terms with death and dying. He claims that he is learning important things everyday. Death, disease, afterlife, outer space. Its all much clearer here. I can think and see (DeLillo, 2069). Jack seems confused by this, which makes him seek out what he can do to make the inevitability of death seem less strange. In a conversation later in the book between Jack and Winnie, she says Self, self, self. If death can be seen as less strange and unreferenced, your sense of self in relation to death will diminish, and so will your fear. He asks, What do I do to make death less strange? How do I go about it? And she replies, I dont know (Delillo 229). This is a turning point for Jack where he is beginning to realize they must enjoy these aimless days while we can (DeLillo, 2058). Jack is faced with death every day, through the media and through his wife who is equally afraid. Jack believes that he and his wife tell each other everything (Delillo 2065). However, she is so afraid that when see sees an advertisement for a drug that will eliminate the fear of death she jumps at the chance to take it, hiding it from Jack. T his is also to lead to more heartache for Jack, not just because his wife, Babette, also has the same fear but that it is so great she will go to extreme lengths to eliminate the fear. When she finds out the tests for the drug she applied for have been cancelled she ends up sleeping with Dylar to get this medication. Babettes fear may be worsened by her reading of tabloid papers to the elderly as she see death in a strange way everything she does this both in the papers and in those whom she reads them to, just as Jack is working with a figure which represents death. The book in this way demonstrates that the fear it deals with is that of a personal level rather than a social level, and in this Hitler can make an individual death seam immaterial. The idea of death to Jack is always present, even when not in collage or at home. In a supermarket Murray puts an idea into Jacks head regarding hypothetically killing someone (Delillo 38). .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 , .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .postImageUrl , .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 , .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8:hover , .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8:visited , .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8:active { border:0!important; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8:active , .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8 .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8263be702e2fcfef6305c0f303cd63f8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: â€Å"The Most Dangerous Game† and â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† Sample EssayJack then comes face to face with death, but still not his fear of it. Jack is exposed to a dangerous chemical called Nyodene D. His exposure to this was about two minutes, which is enough to put him at risk of dying prematurely from exposure. For a man afraid of death this is a catastrophe. In a nice neat book we may imagine that being brought face to face with his fear that Jack may now find an inner peace and a way of resolving the fear. But this is not a neat book, despite its high quality writing and controversial issues it remains untidy, just as life is and as such it is not to b e that this incident give jack a renewed purpose of life or understanding of death. Instead he now looks for the definitive answer regarding the damage that this drug has done to his health. His fear is not alleviated by the responses he gets from doctors, as he never gets a straightforward answer, only more tests. These tests take place with the use of modern technological machines. The reliance on man to use machine to lengthen life is already known, but it is facts not longevity that Jack is looking for. Ironically some of the machines themselves spew radiation that can be lethal in high enough doses. Just as Babette is at risk due to a trial drug that she is using to alleviate her fear so is Jack from the machine which are being used to assess his health and attempt to diminish his fear by using the more intrusive machines which put out amounts of radiation. Babettes use of the media also brings home to use the attention that Jack must also pay the media regarding the attention he must have seen given the evidence in the media. This in theory may make him feel less strange about the process of dying, yet he still is afraid, and perhaps by carrying on chasing the doctors for facts rather than opinions he is responding to what he has seen in the media and eliminating the fears through action the only way he knows how. The amount of attention paid to the media is demonstrated in many small insignificant ways I heard the TV say: Lets sit half lotus and think about our spines' (Delillo 18). We could almost imagine that the white noise referred to could also be the noise of the television forever on in the background with its continual influencing the actions and reactions of those around it. Acclimatizing them to the fact life is continual, or showing the aspects of death, but it not until after the toxic incident that it has any effect in r educing the strangeness of death to Jack. The end of the book indicates that the final stages of life themselves may bring about a partially change in attitude to death. Approaching the murder attempt, Jack hears a noise, faint, monotonous, white (Delillo 306). Thos may be the white noise, which is always present the sound of death around us from which we can never escape, and as Jack nears the murder attempt we see him becoming more aware of its presence. We also see the presence of religion at the end of the book in the form of a nun Sister Hermann Marie. However her comfort is cynical and appears to be strange for when talking of heaven , angels and hell she says If we did not pretend to believe these things, the world would collapse (Delillo 318). The words of the German prayers which the nun sprays on Jack he finds a comfort and beautiful (Delillo 320). At this stage we start to see an acceptance rather than a fear but this is indicated in the way Jack is thinking rather than his actual words he wouldnt die, which gave him the edge on me (Delillo 320). On its own this is not a strong enough sentence, but after this the next page says There was nothing to do but wait for the next sunset, when the sky would ring like bronze (Delillo 321). In this he appears to accept it as he is now resigned to it. The resignation of the self to an inevitable event can also bring relief to the individual in place of the fear. In accepting it we can argue that death has become less strange as what is familiar is not strange to us. This interpretation of the words regarding the sunset being a metaphor for life and the loss of life as a day leaves us are later confirmed The sky takes on content, feeling, an exalted narrative life. Some people are scared by the sunsets, some determined to be elated, but most of us dont know how to feel, are ready to go either way (Delillo 324). This ca be seen as the way that many people feel about death, unknowing with some completely unafraid an others consumed by fear. But the suns et is the same for us all, no matter what we feel and jacks final acceptance of death was the acceptance within his own mind. In facing death by way of the toxic chemical he had not seen the facts but not accepted the inevitable consequence of life, whenever it happens. In facing death as an accepted inevitability he starts to find beauty in lifeBibliography: