7 STAGES OF GRIEF
Through the Process and Back to Life
The final stage model we have included is the "7 stages of grief".
Once again, it is important to interpret the stages loosely, and expect much individual variation. There is no neat progression from one stage to the next. In reality, there is much looping back, or stages can hit at the same time, or occur out of order. So why bother with stage models at all? Because they are a good general guide of what to expect.
For example, generally, a long period of "depression" (not clinical depression), isolation, and loneliness happen late in the grief process, months after the tragedy strikes. It actually is normal and expected for you to be very depressed and sad eight months later.
Outsiders do not understand this, and feel that it should be time for you to "get over it" and rejoin the land of the living. Just knowing that your desire to be alone with your sad reflections at this time is normal will help you deal with outside pressures. You are acting normally. They just don't "get it".
Here is the grief model called "The 7 Stages of Grief":
7 Stages of Grief...
- SHOCK & DENIAL-
You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. You may deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. Shock provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. This may last for weeks.
2. PAIN & GUILT-
As the shock wears off, it is replaced with the suffering of unbelievable pain. Although excruciating and almost unbearable, it is important that you experience the pain fully, and not hide it, avoid it or escape from it with alcohol or drugs.
You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn't do with your loved one. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase.
3. ANGER & BARGAINING-
Frustration gives way to anger, and you may lash out and lay unwarranted blame for the death on someone else. Please try to control this, as permanent damage to your relationships may result. This is a time for the release of bottled up emotion.
You may rail against fate, questioning "Why me?" You may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of your despair ("I will never drink again if you just bring him back")
4. "DEPRESSION", REFLECTION, LONELINESS-
Just when your friends may think you should be getting on with your life, a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you. This is a normal stage of grief, so do not be "talked out of it" by well-meaning outsiders. Encouragement from others is not helpful to you during this stage of grieving.
During this time, you finally realize the true magnitude of your loss, and it depresses you. You may isolate yourself on purpose, reflect on things you did with your lost one, and focus on memories of the past. You may sense feelings of emptiness or despair.
5. THE UPWARD TURN-
As you start to adjust to life without your dear one, your life becomes a little calmer and more organized. Your physical symptoms lessen, and your "depression" begins to lift slightly.
6. RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH-
As you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by life without your loved one. You will start to work on practical and financial problems and reconstructing yourself and your life without him or her.
7. ACCEPTANCE & HOPE-
During this, the last of the seven stages in this grief model, you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation. Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness. Given the pain and turmoil you have experienced, you can never return to the carefree, untroubled YOU that existed before this tragedy. But you will find a way forward.
You will start to look forward and actually plan things for the future. Eventually, you will be able to think about your lost loved one without pain; sadness, yes, but the wrenching pain will be gone. You will once again anticipate some good times to come, and yes, even find joy again in the experience of living.
HEARTBROKEN FROM GRIEF?
~Are you devastated by the loss of a loved one?
~Bewildered by all the strong emotions and crazy symptoms?
~Wondering how you are ever going to survive?
~Tired of being stuck in a complicated grief?
HEARTBROKEN FROM GRIEF?Here We Take You By The HandAnd Guide You Gently Through TheDark Maze Known As Bereavement
- Are you devastated by the loss of a loved one?
- Bewildered by all the strong emotions and crazy symptoms?
- Wondering how you are ever going to survive?
- Tired of being stuck in a complicated grief?
"Back To Life", our Personal Grief Guidebook, provides just the answers you are looking for!
Dear Friend,
You are likely here because you have experienced the horrible, painful loss of a loved one. And I am so very sorry for your loss.
In your quest to find help with your grief, you may have come across some "quick fixes" offered over the Internet. Shame on them! What could be worse than taking advantage of someone who is grappling with a tragic loss in their life like you are?
Sadly, there is no "quick fix" to grief, but there are more effective and comfortable was to help mend your broken heart and lead you gently back to brighter days.
You may be one of those people who would never seek professional help, or lean on a support group, or even cry on the shoulder of a trusted friend. Your grief is just too personal and painful to share openly. If that describes you, then this guidebook is sure to help you. In the privacy of your own home, you will learn all about the stages of grief and how to survive each one.
Welcome to "Back to Life!", our comprehensive and personal Guidebook to Grief.
Here you will learn:
- Good, solid information on how the grief "process" really works.
- Which symptoms of grief are normal, and which are warning signs.
- Valuable and practical coping skills to help you through holidays, thoughtless visitors, anger, guilt, and family changes.
- Just the right activities and comforting rituals to help ease you through the darkest days.
- Tried and true psychological exercises and strategies to help lessen the raw pain and cope with day-to-day living.
- Satisfying and therapeutic expressions of grief.
- Effective memorializing techniques to honor and remember your lost loved one.
I realize that not all these techniques will help you... everyone's grief is unique, and different coping styles and approaches will work for each person. But you are sure to find something here of great value to you during your bereavement journey.
Written by an experienced critical care nurse and certified grief counselor, our excellent handbook will guide you through despair and help you learn to embrace hope and joy once again.
This enlightened and compassionate approach to grief recovery is sure to help lighten your heavy burden, leading you gently towards successful resolution... and back to life once again.
Heartbroken from grief...
Heartbroken from grief...
Back to Life is a comprehensive, quality bereavement handbook. It consists of 73 pages that explore many aspects of grief in detail. There are 19 chapters or "lessons", each addressing a different aspect of grief, a coping skill or a strategy for emotional survival:
Introduction--- You will survive!
I. THE EARLY STAGES OF GRIEF
1. In the Beginning...your pain, signs & symptoms, health, &
accepting the reality of the death
2. Tell Your Story
3. Indulge your grief
4. Forgive them
5. Anger and blame
6. Relief and guilt
7. Celebrate a life
8. An academy award performance...
II. DIG IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
9. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
10. Uh oh, Christmas is Coming...
11. So What's to Laugh About?
12. Don't grieve alone
13. Everyone needs a little help sometimes
14. What silver lining?
III. ACCEPTANCE & RESOLUTION
15. Saying goodbye
16. Box up the grief
17. A new beginning
18. Break the vicious cycle
19. The end of grief (Resolution)
Back to Life is available in two forms: a printable e-book or an actual "hard copy" softcover manual. It also contains dozens of emotionally inspiring color photographs. You will want to share this beautiful book with your family or even order extra copies for others in need.
Heartbroken from grief...
Heartbroken from grief? Then reach for help today. The e-Book costs just $17.95, and the hard copy is $19.95. A portion of each payment is donated to help support grief charities.
The ebook is instantly available in a quick, easy-to-download pdf format. Getting your new guidebook online is simple with our clear instructions. And once downloaded, you can view your new book anytime on your desktop or laptop and/or print out a paper copy for easy access anytime, anywhere. Punch holes and place into a notebook for a practical workbook/manual.
Below are some screen shots of actual pages in the manual: