|
|
|
|
Pathological Grief Reactions:
It is often said that pilots have a difficult time focusing on air traffic because their visual field focuses upon "infinity". The fearful flyer with a delayed grief reaction focuses upon a different and more potent form of infinity, that which is associated with thoughts of death and dying. We see many supporting symptoms or defenses against thought in cases of a delayed grief reaction. Sleeping with lights on; constant, almost compulsive activity; avoidance of open space on decorated walls, and little or no conversation about the lost love object are among the most obvious signs. This individual also resists the popular folk wisdom that "time heals all wounds" in that there is no recency to this situation. The loss may have occurred last week or two decades ago. A piece of psychic life remains suspended in time and will remain that way so long as the defenses remain intact. The flight environment removes all of the supporting actors in the grieving individual’s reality. Daily schedules, friends, the telephone, chores, exercise and other related activities that supported the defenses against thought are gone. The grieving individual cannot obey the edict "keep busy – don’t think" while riding in an airplane. The result is a threatened and potentially embarrassingly powerful emotional abreaction. Not only is such a reaction potentially embarrassing, but many individuals view the potential for such a reaction as threatening to their sanity, or contact with reality. |
