What are the stages of grief according to Kübler-Ross?

The stages of grief as outlined by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross consist of five key phases that individuals typically experience when coping with loss or significant life changes. These stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Denial serves as a protective mechanism allowing individuals to process the shock of loss. By denying the reality, people can gradually begin to soften the impact. Following denial, anger emerges as a response to the perceived injustice of the loss. Individuals may feel frustrated, even at proximate individuals, which can manifest in many forms.

Bargaining comes next, where individuals may try to negotiate a way out of their distress, often with their higher power, in the hope of reversing or alleviating the situation. This phase is often characterized by a desire to understand why the loss occurred and to seek some form of compromise.

Depression follows, where reality sets in, and the individual begins to feel the true weight of the loss. They may withdraw from social interactions and reflect on the impact of the loss. Finally, acceptance represents a stage where individuals come to terms with the reality of their situation. Acceptance does not imply that the person is "all right" with it, but rather that they acknowledge the loss and begin to move forward with