The Six Stages of Grief
http://www.livestrong.com/article/11...teps-grieving/
Shock
Shock is the initial reaction to a loss, whether in the form of death, divorce or any other form of loss that impacts an individual's functioning. Shock is the reaction that forms out of a feeling of disbelief, leaving a feeling of being temporarily numb. It is a defense mechanism that serves to protect the individual from being overwhelmed. This phase can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the gravity of the loss.
Denial
Denial is a defense mechanism that the individual employs to deny that the loss actually happened, whether the loss is finding out about the death of a loved one or finding out very bad news, such as learning that someone has a serious illness. The individual acts as though nothing has happened or denies that what she has heard is actually true. In effect, she closes her mind to what has occurred and continues her life for a certain length time, acting as though nothing has changed.
Anger
Anger typically occurs after denial in the grief phase, although it may occur at any point during the grieving process. Anger may be directed inward or outward, at others, a specific person or society in general. In this phase, emotions that may have been pent up for quite some time tend to erupt, and the frustration at having little or no control over cir stances may be directed toward anyone who gets in the way.
Bargaining
Bargaining is a form of desperation in which the individual tries to make "deals" to avoid bad things happening. When this occurs, the individual searches for hope in avoiding the inevitable. He may often receive false hope from others who have good intentions or want to make him feel better. People who have terminal illnesses may attempt alternative treatments or experimental drugs in the often-vain hope that these will have some effect in preventing the unavoidable outcome, which the individual is most likely aware of, at least on a subconscious level.
Depression
When the individual accepts the inevitable and realizes that her efforts of avoidance are futile, a period of depression generally sets in. She finally realizes that she has no control in preventing the outcome, and she may turn away from loved ones, believing that there is no one who can understand what she is going through, or no one who can help her to feel better. She may cry frequently or appear despondent, and she may also alternate between the two.
Acceptance
Acceptance occurs when people learn to deal with the reality of the situation. They have passed through some or all of the previous phases of grief, and they now move on to this final phase where they take action to get closure with what has happened or with what is going to happen.
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