Although grief is traditionally associated with the death of a loved one, it can also be attributed to other types of loss, including the loss of a job, good health, a spouse or partner, or even the death of a pet. In 1969, Swedish psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler identified the various stages of grief in her book, "On Death and Dying." The stages are used to describe the phases of thought that the human brain goes through after it experiences a major loss.
Shock
The first stage of the grieving process is the initial shock upon hearing the news that the loss has occurred. The shock stage can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, to an entire day. It is important to keep in mind that people display this symptom in different ways. Some may simply nod their heads in understanding, whereas others may accept the news with what seems to be acceptance. Still others may stand or sit frozen, not fully digesting the information.
Denial
The second stage of the grief process is the denial stage. During this stage, the person refuses to admit to himself or others that the loss has truly happened to him. He may laugh and kid and carry on as if things were normal, but this will last only so long before the next phase of the process is ushered in.
Bargaining
Bargaining is the first real step toward acceptance. This is when the person suffering from the loss has begun to truly realize it, and she is trying to make things right. This is the stage where people think or say things like, "If only I could have Fluffy back, I would ... ."
Guilt
Guilt is a natural part of the grieving process. Many people feel regret about things they did, said, or didn't say or do. Some people may experience guilt about feelings they have experienced, such as relief once someone has finally died, or not doing more to prevent the death.These feelings are natural, and like any other phase of grief, they will pass over time.
Anger
Anger is one of the most commonly experienced stages of grief, and one of the most powerful. It is OK to be angry that you have lost someone or something important to you. This is when the mind is looking to place blame for the loss, whether it be on yourself, the doctors, or anybody else. This stage can result in violent acts in some people, as they may take their angers out on other people or property.
Depression
Although some people skip certain stages of the grieving process, depression is one that everyone must experience. When you lose someone or something that is important to you, it's natural to be sad about it. For some people, a few sad days is the extent of their depression phase, but for others it can be extreme. For some people, it can take weeks, months or even years to get through this phase, and it may require professional help.
Acceptance
Acceptance is the last stage in Kubler's grieving process. Once the depression has passed and life feels as though it may get back to normal again, you're going through the final stage of grief. During this stage, you should be able to think about your loss without feeling depressed or unstable. This is when the mind has finally found a way to move forward.
