stages of grief

Grief is never easy. But what if you started feeling its weight before a loss even happens? This is the reality for many people who experience anticipatory grief: a wave of sadness and anxiety that arrives in advance of a major loss, often when a loved one is seriously ill…

In 1969, Swiss-American Psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross theorized that there are five universal stages of grief: denial and seclusion, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages have since become a widely recognized framework for understanding how people process heartbreaking loss.  However, grief is an incredibly personal experience and these stages don’t…

When our loved ones are away, there can be times when we miss them so much it hurts. We reminisce about having them near and recall the times we shared. But in some situations, the relationship just… ends. Whether it’s due to death, a breakup or divorce, military service, or…

The experience of being pregnant can be transformative for your body, mind, and spirit. Your relationship with your partner might change in anticipation of bringing new life into the world. Your identity may begin to shift as you feel the great responsibility of being a parent. But then, the worst…

Unfortunately, we will all experience grief at some point in life. Loss is universal (whether we like it or not) — but the grief process isn’t. While we might share similar emotions or responses to loss, the journey through our grief is an incredibly individual experience.  That said, there is…

Grief is an inevitable part of the human experience, a natural response to the loss of a loved one, relationship, pet—anything that holds intrinsic value for the individual. It is a process that allows individuals to come to terms with their emotions and eventually find a way to move forward. …

When we think of grief, often the first thoughts that come to mind are of the emotional waves that come crashing down. Feelings of powerlessness, disbelief—and even shock. These powerful and dysphoric emotions are not just limited to their impact on the mind. In fact, researchers have long known that…

The bargaining stage of grief is a process in which an individual who has suffered a loss might seek to regain control of their inner narrative, as they slowly process what has happened to them or someone they care about. Bargaining involves psychological negotiating with oneself, other people, or even…

Grief is something most people would rather avoid. But inevitably, the emotional whirlwind of grief and bereavement is a process each of us goes through in our lifetime. Grief is about loss—a loss of any kind, whether it’s the death of a family member, pet, the end of a relationship,…

In the midst of tragedy — or an event that causes great suffering and distress — parents have the difficult job of talking to their children about it.  While the topic should often be avoided with kids under 7 years of age who are too young to understand tragedy, it…

When we lose someone or something that we care about, grief may be waiting afterward. The grieving process is a natural part of life—a reaction to death, divorce, breakups, terminal disease, and more. The things that we turn our heads from eventually find a way back into our lives; but…

Divorce is common, but that doesn’t make it any easier to handle. Trying to process your own feelings while carrying on with day-to-day life can feel, at best, overwhelming, at worst, almost impossible. The complications that accompany divorce become far more intricate when there are children involved. Remember, no matter…