Living Through The Stages Of Grief

Psychologist say that there are five stages of grief that are universal for individuals of all different backgrounds. Mourning can occur with the loss of a loved one or when dealing with one's own terminal illness. Grieving is a normal human response to loss and can be done in a healthy way. While the process is often uncomfortable and leaves one vulnerable, it is a part of life everyone must face.

While there are stages in the process that are universal, everyone's loss is different. Thus, one person may spend more time in one stage of the process than others. In addition, the intensity of each stage can also vary. Finally, it is important to note that everyone does not progress through the stages in the same order. However, throughout each stage, the common thread that develops is hope.

One stage of the process is denial and isolation. The situation does not feel real. Many describe it as the feeling of living in a dream world. Any minute they could wake up and the loved one back by their side with everything back to normal. This defense mechanism buffers the immediate shock of loss. It is temporary but necessary for the initial pain and protects the brain and body from the overload it could cause.

Grieving can cause a great deal of anger as the pain emerges. No one can be ready for this amount of loss. One's anger might be aimed at strangers, inanimate objects, family or friends. The guilt often associated with anger can cause the anger to be even worse. The doctor who diagnosed the disease or individual who dies can become the object of anger.

During the bargaining phase, many people begin questioning and asking the if only questions. A person might want to make a deal with God in an attempt to postpone what is happening. Reality can be so painful, there are attempts to grasp any line of defense to reduce the pain.

Mourning can bring depression. This is in response to the practical implications of loss. Individuals need reassurance in this phase. Kind words and helpful cooperation are often needed at this time. Depression is the individual making preparation to say goodbye and may occur months after the funeral service. While it is important that the individual not become stuck at this point, reaching it is a good indicator that the work of grieving is being done.

Not everyone reaches the stage of mourning known as acceptance. The acceptance stage involves withdrawal and calm. It may not mark happiness but the individual has moved beyond depression. Often the terminally ill and aging move into withdrawal. Social interaction becomes limited.

Grief is ultimately singular and deeply personal. Even those closest to the individual cannot make the process easier or understand the emotions being felt. However they can provide comfort and be there for the grieving individual. When overcome by the emotions, allow yourself to feel what is happening as resisting prolongs healing. If a person lives long enough, he or she is likely to undergo this process numerous times.


Life And Moving Through The Stages Of Grief

According to psychologist grief takes individuals through five universe stages regardless of their background. Mourning occurs with any significant loss such as the death of a loved one or when dealing with one's own mortality. It is a normal response to the loss and can be accomplished in a healthy manner; however, the process is not always comfortable and path sometimes difficult.

Although the process involves universal stages, loss is different for everyone. It is possible to spend more in one of the stages than others. Additionally, the intensity that each stage is suffered can vary. It is important to know that humans progress through the stages in different orders. Throughout each stage, a common thread is developed and that thread is one of hope.

Individuals go through a stage of isolation and denial. The situation may not feel real. Life seems to be a bad dream from which one will wake momentarily. At times it feels as if the loved one has only stepped outside and will be back soon. This human defense mechanism provides a buffer for the shock associated with loss. While temporary it shields the person from the pain.

Grieving can cause anger as one works through the pain. There is no preparing for this amount of loss in life. The anger can be directed at anyone or anything; including the ones a person loves the most. The guilt of anger may lead to even further anger. The anger can also be directed at a person who dies as they become the cause of one's pain.

Facing loss can cause bargaining. Often those involved begin facing the questions that begin with "If only." They might attempt to make a deal with God to postpone the inevitable. Reality becomes very painful and the individual looks for any type of defense that might reduce suffering.

Depression is a normal part of mourning. The individual begins to deal with the practical implications of his or her loss. Depression can involve making preparation to say goodbye, and often occurs weeks or months after the funeral. Reaching this place in the process is an indicator that one is working through the process. The individual should take care not to become stuck at this phase.

The final stage of the grieving process is known as acceptance. Not all will reach this stage, as it is easy to become stuck in one of the phases. Some may not have time to work through the process. However it involves withdrawal and a final calm. In the elderly or infirm, the social interaction can become limited at this point.

Ultimately everyone's grief is deeply personally and gone through alone. Even those with the closest of relationships may not be able to ease the process of understand what is happening. Still, others may provide comfort and companionship for a grieving individual. If overcome by emotions associated with the process, it is important to allow the feelings to come. Those who resist the mourning only serve to prolong the healing process for themselves.


Managing Life Through The Stages Of Grief

According to psychology there are five stages of grief. Regardless of an individual's culture or background, these stages are universal. Mourning takes place when one suffers any significant loss. A loved one, job or terminal illness may initiate the process. It is possible to work through the grieving process in a healthy way. Still the process can leave the sufferer vulnerable and be uncomfortable. Everyone eventually faces this part of life.

Even though the stages are universal, everyone suffers loss in different ways. A person may spend more or less time in a particular stage of the process than average. The intensity felt can also differ among individuals. Even the order in which one experiences the stages may change from one person to the next. During each stage, the common theme that develops in most is a renewed hope.

For many the initial stage is one of isolation and denial. Life itself no longer feels real. Everything seems like a nightmare that will be over in the morning when the sun shines again and the person is awake. The body is numb as it buffers the individual from the shock of the loss. The temporary isolation protects the body and mind from the hurt and loss that has just been experienced.

Mourning can bring out a large amount of anger due to the pain associated with it. No one is able to prepare for such major losses. The anger can be aimed at strangers as well as one's closest friend or relative. It might be aimed at a doctor or even toward the individual who became sick and died. Sometimes inanimate objects become the source. Guilt can make anger even deeper.

During bargaining many individuals start to question their own actions and ask many "If only" questions. They may want to strike a deal with God to postpone the suffering. As what has happened becomes more painful, the individual begins an attempt to rebuild broken lines of defense.

Mourning will bring depression. The loss will have practical implications for those left behind. This is where reassurance is needed. Kind words along with the helpful cooperation are most often needed here. Depression indicates an individual making preparation to say his or her goodbyes. For many it does not take place at the funeral service where they are in shock. It is important to continue working through one's grieving to avoid becoming stuck in this particular phase of life.

The final stage of grieving is acceptance. This stage often brings calm along with withdrawal. Not all who reach this phase describe life as happy, but they are beyond the depression. For the terminally ill or aging, the stage may be marked by withdrawal They may begin to limit social interactions at this phase.

Ultimately, individuals find grief something deeply personal and singular. Those closest to the person cannot understand or make the process any easier. They can provide comfort and a presence. To move through the process it is important to allow feelings to overtake you at times in order to reduce the chances of prolonging healing.



