Dealing with Illness and Grief
Describes how people deal with serious illness in themselves and others (including children):
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Dealing with Illness and Grief

Phases of Grief

The bereavement process has five general phases:

1. Numbness: Often the initial feeling after a death and may last up to ten days. There is a sense of being paralyzed and removed from feelings of grief. Possibly the body's way of protecting itself from being overtaken by shock.


2. Denial and Isolation: The person has great difficulty in accepting the loss - in extreme cases denying the death happened.


3. Anger: Anger with the world, fate, God, or people exists - the grieving person wonders, "Why me?, why not somebody else?". In an attempt to get their loved one back they may try bargaining with God.


4. Depression: At this stage the mourner acknowledgea and accepts their loss. The reality of life becomes more apparent; sadness becomes more evident.


5. Acceptance: The mourner comes to terms with the loss and are therefore able to move on with their new life. There are less emotional extremes.

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