title: [The finite nature of human life and its significance in the perception of neurotic patients].
abstract: This article is a presentation of the manifold fears that beset humans in respect of dying and death-based on case reports-as are frequently encountered in patients suffering from anxiety neuroses, phobias and obsessional neuroses, hypochondria and depersonalisation syndromes. The links between these individual fears with the personality structure of the affected person are discussed. This also raises the question to what extent these fears become manifest because of a slackening of the defence mechanisms. It appears to be a characteristic sign of the times that collective worries about the finite nature of human life focus entirely on dying, whereas the problems and questions regarding death itself are not subject to any discussion.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*
vernacular_title: Die Endlichkeit des Menschen und ihre Bedeutung im Erleben neurotisch Kranker.