5 Stages of Grief
The Stages of Grief
The Stages of Grief
Abstract
The emotional stages we experience from a loss vary. Here are some of the emotions that I have experienced personally as well as by close family and friends who have lost someone. They are in no particular order: confusion, anxiety, fatigue, sadness, shock, denial, anger, depression, guilt, bargaining, fear and acceptance. Some of them are similar but not limited to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ famous theory of the five stages of grief (Kubler-Ross,1969) – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance - which were all based on interviews she had with terminally ill patients. Depending on the type of loss that is experienced it can give some insight to what type of emotions may be experienced by the one grieving. I believe there is no right or wrong way to grieve nor is there a time frame on the grieving process. Everyone, young and old, will eventually experience grief. How they process that grief will depend on their experiences.
Emotional Experiences in Grief
I remember the moment my mother took her last breath. Right before that happened my sisters and I were all laughing and joking with our aunt and cousin who were on Skype. We all knew my mom was in her transition stage. She was leaving us but nobody knew when. My cousin, who was watching her from her screen, noticed my mom open her eyes. I then heard my aunt who heard my cousin ask “are her eyes open”? When I turned to look at her I noticed her eyes turned to my sister who was sitting on her right, then turn in front of her to my other sister who was laying in front of her then turn to me as I was sitting on her left side. She then looked up, closed her eyes for the last time and left. I looked up at my sister who is a nurse and saw the look on her face as she nodded her head to confirm that our mom had just died. At that very moment I felt fear, confusion and pain go through me. I began to cry at the same time wondering if my mom
The Stages of Grief
Abstract
The emotional stages we experience from a loss vary. Here are some of the emotions that I have experienced personally as well as by close family and friends who have lost someone. They are in no particular order: confusion, anxiety, fatigue, sadness, shock, denial, anger, depression, guilt, bargaining, fear and acceptance. Some of them are similar but not limited to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’ famous theory of the five stages of grief (Kubler-Ross,1969) – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance - which were all based on interviews she had with terminally ill patients. Depending on the type of loss that is experienced it can give some insight to what type of emotions may be experienced by the one grieving. I believe there is no right or wrong way to grieve nor is there a time frame on the grieving process. Everyone, young and old, will eventually experience grief. How they process that grief will depend on their experiences.
Emotional Experiences in Grief
I remember the moment my mother took her last breath. Right before that happened my sisters and I were all laughing and joking with our aunt and cousin who were on Skype. We all knew my mom was in her transition stage. She was leaving us but nobody knew when. My cousin, who was watching her from her screen, noticed my mom open her eyes. I then heard my aunt who heard my cousin ask “are her eyes open”? When I turned to look at her I noticed her eyes turned to my sister who was sitting on her right, then turn in front of her to my other sister who was laying in front of her then turn to me as I was sitting on her left side. She then looked up, closed her eyes for the last time and left. I looked up at my sister who is a nurse and saw the look on her face as she nodded her head to confirm that our mom had just died. At that very moment I felt fear, confusion and pain go through me. I began to cry at the same time wondering if my mom
Citations: Use of this standard APA style “will result in a favorable impression on your instructor” (Smith, 2001). This was affirmed again in 2003 by Professor Anderson (Anderson, Charles & Johnson, 2003). Anderson, Charles & Johnson (2003). The impressive psychology paper. Chicago: Lucerne Publishing. Smith, M. (2001). Writing a successful paper. The Trey Research Monthly, 53, 149-150.