The well-known stages of the grief process were identified by Elizabeth Kubler-Rose in her extensive work with dying patients that she documented in her 1969 seminal book on Death and Dying. Behaviours associated with each of these stages can be observed in individuals experiencing the loss of any concept of personal value. there are five stages in grief process as follows;
Stage I: Denial.
In this stage the individual does not acknowledge that the loss has occurred.” This stage may protect the individual against the psychological pain of reality.
Stage II: Anger
This is the stage when reality sets in. Feelings associated with this stage include sadness, guilt, Shame, helplessness, and hopelessness. Self-blame or blaming of others may lead to feelings of anger toward the self and others. the anxiety level may be elevated, and the individual may experience confusion and a decreased ability to function independently. He or she may be preoccupied with an idealized image of what has been lost. Numerous somatic complaints common.
stage III: Bargaining
at this stage in the grief response, the individual attempts to strike a bargain with God for a second chance or for more time. the person acknowledges the loss, or impending loss, but holds out hope for additional alternatives, as evidenced by such statements as “If only I could…” or “If only I had ……”
stage IV: Depression
In this stage, the individual mourns for that which has been, or will be lost. Thisi a very painful stage, during which the individual must confort feelings associated with having lost someone or something of value(called reactive depression). An example might be individual who is mourning a change in body image. Feelings associated with an impending loss (called preparotory depression) are also confronted. Examples include permanet lifestyle changes related to the altered body or even an impending loss of life itself for Covid-19 patients. Regression, Withdrawal, and social isolation may be oberved behaviours with this stage. Therpeutic intervention should be available, but not imposed, and with guidelines for implementation based on Covid-19 patient readiness.
stage V: Acceptance
At this time, the individual has worked through the behavious associated with the other stages and either accepts or is resigned to the loss. Anxiety decreases, and methods for coping with the loss have been established.
The client is less preoccupied with what ha been lost and increasingly interest in other aspects of the environment. if this is an impending death of self, the individual is ready to die. the person may become very quit and withdrawn, seemingly devoid of feelings. these behaviours are an attempt to facilitate the passage by slowly disengaging from the environment.
Peter M. Wanjau
Registered Public Health Officer