When does social death typically occur?

Social death refers to the state in which an individual is treated as if they are no longer part of society, often experienced by those who are terminally ill. This phenomenon can occur when people begin to dehumanize the terminally ill individual, viewing them as a burden or defining them solely by their illness rather than as a person with their own identity, experiences, and relationships.

When a person is dehumanized, their social bonds may weaken, leading to isolation and less meaningful interactions. This can create a sense of social death before the physical aspect of death occurs. In contrast, a diagnosis of an illness may initiate the process of understanding the individual's condition but does not inherently signify social death. Regular family visits can indicate support and connection, which counteracts feelings of social death by affirming the individual’s presence in the family and community. The healing process might involve various stages of recovery or coping with illness but does not relate directly to the concept of social isolation that contributes to social death.