Symptoms of Grieving

The following five stages are part of the grief process. People may skip stages or move backward and forward at any time as part of their grieving.

Stage 1: Denial

• Denial may include disbelief, such as when one is diagnosed with a serious illness, or a simple refusal to accept the reality of the loss. Withdrawal and isolation may also occur at this stage.

Stage 2: Anger

• One may feel anger at the person who died for leaving them behind, or even at him or herself, even if there was nothing to do to prevent the death.

Stage 3: Bargaining

• During the bargaining stage, the person may try to make a deal with God, such as, "If you take my pain away, I will do this."

Stage 4: Depression

• Depression may present itself as a feeling of numbness or deep despair, though a feeling of sadness or anger may still be present.

Stage 5: Acceptance

• Here the grieving person finally accepts the loss. The anger, sadness and depression have lessened and have ceased to be the primary experience.