Seven stages of grief

The "stages of grief," originally proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book "On Death and Dying" describes five stages of grief:

1. Denial: This is a state of shock or disbelief, where one may refuse to accept the reality of the loss. It's a defense mechanism to numb the immediate pain.

2. Anger: As the masking effects of denial begin to wear off, the painful reality emerges, often leading to frustration and anger. This anger can be directed towards others, oneself, or the situation.

3. Bargaining: In this stage, individuals may mentally negotiate with themselves or a higher power, trying to find a way to avoid or lessen the pain or even reverse the loss.

4. Depression: This stage involves the realization of the full extent of the loss, often leading to feelings of sadness, regret, fear, and uncertainty.

5. Acceptance: This final stage is marked by coming to terms with the reality of the loss. Acceptance doesn't mean being okay with the loss but rather acknowledging it and learning to live with it.

Over time these stages have been expanded and interpreted in various ways, leading to different models. Some models include seven stages, adding stages like "shock" at the beginning and "testing" before "acceptance." It's important to note that these stages are not linear and may not be experienced by everyone in the same way or order. Grief is a highly individual process and can vary greatly from pe.rson to person.