DENIAL - The first stage of grief. You may think it won't happen to you, but trust that EVERYONE experiences denial. Even if it's just that moment of "Oh they must be wrong. That couldn't happen; so-and-so is so careful."
Grief & Loss #2
ANGER - The second stage of grief. Anger can express itself in the form of confrontation, physical action, and surprisingly, in acts of self-harm. No two people experience anger in the same way.
Grief & Loss #3
BARGAINING - The third stage of grief. This is the time period when we think we can change an outcome if we make the right deal with the right person/entity. If we change our behavior, then everything will go back to "normal."
Grief & Loss #4
DEPRESSION - The fourth stage of grief. Symptoms of depression can range from having difficulty making decisions, to feeling lost and confused about life. There can also be physical issues such as changes in sleep patterns, and aches and pains.
Grief & Loss #5
ACCEPTANCE - The fifth stage of grief. Acceptance in no way means that life is cheery and wonderful. What it does mean is that there is an understanding and there are coping strategies in place to effectively live with the loss. There is a finality to the loss that occurred, but there remains hope for the future.
