Understanding the Grief Process: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance

image: Atilla Kefeli

image: Atilla Kefeli

Grief due to loss of a loved one in generally passes through its various stages including denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. But the same grief process can also take place due to a loss of material wealth, things with great emotional attachment, status, etc.

While some grieving people pass through all stages, others could be stuck in any one or two stages (like anger) for a longer time. Truth is, the sooner one moves to the next stage, the faster one can move ahead with normal life.

According to the Kübler-Ross model of grief, the grief process usually starts with denial and isolation, with this becoming a sort of buffer or defense against accepting the reality. After denial carries one through the first wave of grief, most people turn to anger. From doctors, objects, one to even the one who passed away, overwhelming feelings and emotions tend to take the form of anger as a way of dealing with loss. People in this stage need to be left alone, rather than be judged.

The next stage is [Read more…]