In preliminary studies we describe the clinical importance and pedagogical impact of the study with cadaverous material (MC) in Anatomy students and we found a significant using of psychoactive substances (SP), mainly repeating students and/or students with work activities. The form of cadaveric coping (AfC) is a factor of distress associated with symptoms (disgust, vomiting, sleep disturbances), with the use of SP and interferes with the educational process. The objective was to evaluate the anxiety in students with negative cadaveric coping. Observational and cross-sectional study by means of a survey of 740 students that included: Anxiety Scale against death -EAM-, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, questions about SP, and terms related to concepts ("cadaverous material", "anatomical piece") were investigated. In students with "negative cadaveric coping" (AfCN) (EAM <15, high / medium fear with CM and physical reactions) the Hamilton Anxiety Scale was applied. Statistical parameters, significance p <0.05 and ethical-legal requirements were applied. We aimed at high and sustained prevalence of students with AfCN, who presented higher scores of anxiety and prevalence of SP use (anxiolytics with higher prevalence than excitatory substances); correlation was recorded between the amount of SP and the degree of negative reactions (r = 0.86). The psychic anxiety was greater and was associated with the degree of fear. We confirmed a high prevalence of AfCN that was associated with a higher level of anxiety and use of SP, mainly anxiolytics. The symptoms of anxiety were associated with the registered conceptual dimensions and have an impact on the teaching- learning process.

KEY WORDS: Anxiety Consumption of substances; Cadaveric coping; Anatomy; Academic stress.