According to the National Institutes of health, grief is the natural process that follows the death of a loved one. The grieving process does not follow one specific pattern or timeline, but most people who experience a significant loss will go through similar emotional experiences. It is common to experience feelings of shock or numbness, anger, guilt and intense sadness following the death of a close friend, family member or loved one. While many resources regarding grief outline the stages of the process, not every person experiences grief the same way.
Shock and Denial
The period immediately following a significant loss is typically characterized by feelings of numbness, shock and denial, according to experts at Mental Health America. Individuals may have a difficult time believing that the loss is real and may often treat the loss as temporary, expecting the deceased to return at a later time.
Anger
A stage of anger often follows the immediate sense of shock. People may look for someone to blame for the loss, and they may also feel guilt and self-blame. Experts note that a strong sense of anger often results from the lack of control a loved one may feel after a significant loss.
Bargaining
Individuals may also experience a period of time in which they attempt to bargain. This stage is characterized by a process of trying to change the loss by thinking or behaving differently. Some individuals may, for example, increase effort in their work, with the thought that if they perform better the event can be erased.
Sadness or Depression
The grieving process is usually marked by a period of intense sadness or depression. Experts at the Mayo Clinic note that people respond both physically and emotionally to the increased stress. Changes in appetite, frequent episodes of crying, and a loss of interest in daily activities can all accompany this intense sense of loss and sadness.
Acceptance
According to Mental Health America, as the grieving process moves forward, individuals will often experience the recurrence of emotions such a sadness and anger, but the shock and bargaining stages will typically subside over time. The grieving process will then gradually transition into a period of acceptance, in which the individual will be able to integrate the loss into his daily life and gradually return back to daily routines, moving forward with life after the loss.
