The Experience Called Grief
Gary D. Smith, MAEd.
Five Stages of NormalReaction to Loss
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
Photo by Ken Ross
Death brings a flood of feelings and emotions to each person in their own
way!
Feeling
A sense of knowing or an impression on
the mind
Microsoft clipart
Emotion
A mental and bodily
reaction accompanied by a strong
feelingMicrosoft clipart
Stages of Grief
1. Denial
a) Acknowledging
the loss
2. Anger
a) Experiencing
the pain
3. Bargaining
a) Experiencing the pain
b) Re-adjusting to the loss
4. Depression
a) Finding a way to move on
Acknowledging the Loss May be Hard
Shock DisbeliefConfusionAnxietyPanic
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Children Acknowledging the Loss
• Anger • Frustration• Questioning• Guilt• Copying the
behaviors of others
Global Star software
Adults acknowledging the loss
AngerFrustrationGuiltBlaming othersA sense of loss
of control
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Disorientation Phase
Despair Lowered self-
esteem Pre-occupation Loneliness State of disequilibria Tearful
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The Faces of Grief are Different in Each Person
Bargaining / Experiencing the Pain
DisorientationFearLoss of ControlState of LimboFrustration Vulnerable
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Depression / With the Pain
• Helplessness• Hopelessness• Resentment• Bitterness• Emptiness• Sadness
Global Star Software
Bargaining and Adjustment( Adaptation )
Re-adjusting to the loss Struggling with new roles
and responsibilities Envy Yearning Missing
Microsoft clipartMicrosoft clipart
Acceptance a Sense of Healing
Developing a new environment
New Relationships
New ActivitiesNew HopeA Sense of
Healing
Global Star Software
Acceptance Reconciling The Loss
Hope for the future
Growth from the trial
Healing from the heart
Remembering with less pain
Global Star Software
Rainbows Give Us Hope For The FutureAnd Build Bridges Over Our Trials.
http://rainbowsbridge.com/hello.htm
There Is Life After Grief
http://www.users.waitrose.com/~theheath/sunrise.htm