We all go through the universal stages of grief and loss made famous by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D. in her work on death and dying. These stages are:
- denial
- rage and anger
- bargaining
- depression
- acceptance
Each person in pain moves through these five stages at a different rate. Different family members arrive at each stage at a different time.
When you are feeling angry about a crisis it is difficult to live with someone who denies the existence of a problem. Actually, they are working through the same process you are, they are just at a different stage.
Grieving over a loss is a necessary transition to a new life. In the meantime, because all the stages in grieving take a huge emotional and physical toll, it’s important to eat regular meals, get enough sleep and to exercise daily.
Find a listening friend to help you pull together your thoughts and feelings at a time when everything seems scattered. Listening and laughter are great healers.
Sometimes, though, emotional overload is so great professional help is needed. Call a mental health professional or a clergy member in your community and ask for help.
Whether you or a loved one or your entire family are experiencing a loss, it can be a time of coming together or of drifting apart.
The key to weathering a crisis together is communication. In sharing your feelings with your loved ones, you are opening the door for them to express their feelings. This open door may be the greatest gift you ever give.
