Kubler-Ross

Stages of Grief

Stages

• May not occur in order

• May overlap or be repeated

• May not progress through all stages

• May be in several stages at the same time

Denial

• “NO- not me!” stage

• Person can’t accept their situation

• Ex: CA pt on her death bed, stating” I’m not going to die, I’m going to beat this”

Anger• Occurs when person is no longer able to

deny situation(death)

• Hostile and Bitter: Why me? Or It’s your fault”

• Blame themselves, others, loved ones or h/c personnel for their situation

Bargaining• Occurs when person accepts situation yet

tries to “bargain” with God to buy more time, or desired outcome

• The will to live is strong in this stage

• Want to live to see the children graduate, get married, etc.

Depression

• when person realizes the unfavorable outcome will occur

• Express regrets, become withdrawn, and quiet

• Experience great sadness and overwhelming despair

• Allow person to cry, or express grief are important in this stage

Acceptance

• Final Stage

• Accept the fact they are going to die/or the outcome they wanted is not going to occur

• Unfinished business, and help those around them deal with the oncoming death.

• Gradually patients separate themselves from the world and other people.

• Provide support through all these stages

• Encourages person to work through them all