5 Stages Of Grief

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Following the death of a loved one, most people experience bereavement, a feeling of desolation or loss, grief, and deep mental anguish. This is more than a purely emotional experience; however, extreme experiences of grief can become life-threatening. Although there are a number of widely reported reactions to the loss of a loved one among individuals and cultures alike, not everyone experiences the same stages or the same order. Eventually, most people come to a point of resolution and the willingness to go on with their lives without the other person. Working through the grieving process is neither a short-term activity nor one that can be rushed. Many people experience grief in a number of ways. Some people mourn the loss of loved ones …show more content…

The five stages of grief and loss are: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (Axelrod, 2016). In the first stage of people who are learning about a terminal illness or loss may deny the reality of the situation and say things like, “this isn’t happening.” This is a defense mechanism due to shock of an unexpected death (Axelrod, 2016). The second stage is anger. This usually occurs when denial wears off and reality sets in. Anger can be aimed at doctors, objects, strangers, or family and friends. Sometimes people can resent the lost one for causing them pain or leaving them (Axelrod, 2016). The third stage is bargaining. In this stage people feel helpless and need to regain control. A person may question why they did not seek medical help sooner if diagnosed with an illness or been a better person towards some they have lost to protect them from the painful reality (Axelrod, 2016). The fourth stage is depression. There are two types of depression with mourning. The first one is practical implications relating to the loss and the second one is more subtle and perhaps more private (Axelrod, 2016). The fifth stage is acceptance. Accepting the fact that death can be sudden and unexpected does not make it any easier with facing the inevitable and trying to find peace within ourselves, but it is a start (Axelrod,

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