Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was a psychiatrist known for her work with dying patients and their families. She wrote a book called "On Death and Dying" in which she outlined the five psychological stages a dying or grieving person goes through. Her work pioneered the practice of offering counseling to terminally ill patients and their friends and families to help them all prepare for death.
Denial
During the denial stage of dying, the patient can't believe the diagnosis is true and that she has a terminal illness. She may refuse to talk about her illness or she may go from doctor to doctor in search of a miracle cure.
Anger
During the anger stage, the patient is filled with rage and anger over his plight. He may curse God or take his anger out on his family and caregivers. He may be especially angry with others that he perceives as taking their health for granted.
Bargaining
Once the dying person has come to accept her fate, she may begin to bargain for more time. She may bargain with God for more time to finish her work or see her daughter graduate, for example, after which she will be willing to accept her death. This coping mechanism helps the patient to feel like she can forestall the inevitable.
Depression
Once the patient comes to realize he is truly facing death, he will be overwhelmed with sadness over all the things he must give up. This stage is filled with "good-byes" to loved ones and favorite routines. This stage can happen right before death or early in the course of his disease. It is a time of introspection and contemplating the meaning of life and death.
Acceptance
The final stage of dying is acceptance. This is where the patient finally is at peace. She has let go of hoping to extend life and making bargains. She has accepted death as part of her life cycle and is psychologically prepared for what is to come. The patient may reach the acceptance stage much quicker than her loved ones. Each person moves through the stages of grief at his own pace.
