This metaphor can be useful for anxious preoccupation with death. It is not perfect as it doesn't consider that no one knows what happens after physical death, and certainly doesn't take in to account the idea that consciousness exists prior to the advent of the brain. These are things I would discuss with the patient prior to using the metaphor.
Imagine that you are on a cruise ship, and you are out at sea during a fierce storm. The ship has hit an iceberg, and a hole has been torn in the hull. Water is seeping in, and the ship is slowly sinking. Although the ship is sinking slowly, the ship is still hundreds of miles away from the nearest land, and no other vessels are close enough to come to the rescue.
The ship has a ballroom where a band is playing, and where people are eating, conversing, dancing, and generally having a good time.
The ship has a main deck, and outside on the deck it is bitterly cold and the wind and sleet make it a difficult place to be. Some people are on the deck looking for signs of land or other vessels, even though we know that there are none to be found. They are looking 'just in case'.
The ship has a lower deck where water is coming in. Some people are on the lower deck, collecting sea water in buckets, and running them up to the main deck to be thrown overboard in an attempt to bail out the ship. This is very hard and exhausting work.
The ship also has a set of cabins for the passengers to stay. Some people have returned to their cabins, closed the door, and are sitting with their fingers in their ears.
What group of people do you think you are with on the ship?
What needs to change for you to move into the ballroom so you can enjoy the time that you have on board? What would this look like for you?
Dr Matthew Jones
Swansea, UK