Saturday, May 27, 2017

The 5 Stages of Grieving according to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Grief is like no other emotion because it's different for everyone and specific to each one. We might not grieve in the same way and we might grieve about things other than death. Grief is based on a sense of loss which could be loss of freedom, loss of health, loss of physical attributes, loss of a pet, loss of something we took for granted, or loss of life. 


Accepting loss is a process which takes place in stages. The stages of grief are experienced in no particular order.  If you are grieving the loss of something or someone, just know that you are not alone and decide which stage of grieving you happen to be in. Then, allow it run its course.


To help you identify and accept where you might be in the grieving process, www.psychcentral.com offers a list of five stages that people go through after losing someone or something.  The 5 stages of grief and loss are: 1. Denial and isolation; 2. Anger; 3. Bargaining; 4. Depression; 5. Acceptance. 

"These five stages of grief were first proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book On Death and Dying." To read the entire article, see www.psychcentral.com.

1. Denial & Isolation
The first reaction to learning about the terminal illness, loss, or death of a cherished loved one is to deny the reality of the situation. “This isn’t happening, this can’t be happening,” people often think. It is a normal reaction to rationalize overwhelming emotions. It is a defense mechanism that buffers the immediate shock of the loss. We block out the words and hide from the facts. This is a temporary response that carries us through the first wave of pain.

2. Anger

As the masking effects of denial and isolation begin to wear, reality and its pain re-emerge. We are not ready. The intense emotion is deflected from our vulnerable core, redirected and expressed instead as anger. The anger may be aimed at inanimate objects, complete strangers, friends or family. Anger may be directed at our dying or deceased loved one. Rationally, we know the person is not to be blamed. Emotionally, however, we may resent the person for causing us pain or for leaving us. We feel guilty for being angry, and this makes us more angry.
Remember, grieving is a personal process that has no time limit, nor one “right” way to do it.
The doctor who diagnosed the illness and was unable to cure the disease might become a convenient target. Health professionals deal with death and dying every day. That does not make them immune to the suffering of their patients or to those who grieve for them.
Do not hesitate to ask your doctor to give you extra time or to explain just once more the details of your loved one’s illness. Arrange a special appointment or ask that he telephone you at the end of his day. Ask for clear answers to your questions regarding medical diagnosis and treatment. Understand the options available to you. Take your time.

3. Bargaining

The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control–
  • If only we had sought medical attention sooner…
  • If only we got a second opinion from another doctor…
  • If only we had tried to be a better person toward them…
Secretly, we may make a deal with God or our higher power in an attempt to postpone the inevitable. This is a weaker line of defense to protect us from the painful reality.

4. Depression

Two types of depression are associated with mourning. The first one is a reaction to practical implications relating to the loss. Sadness and regret predominate this type of depression. We worry about the costs and burial. We worry that, in our grief, we have spent less time with others that depend on us. This phase may be eased by simple clarification and reassurance. We may need a bit of helpful cooperation and a few kind words.
The second type of depression is more subtle and, in a sense, perhaps more private. It is our quiet preparation to separate and to bid our loved one farewell. Sometimes all we really need is a hug.

5. Acceptance

Reaching this stage of mourning is a gift not afforded to everyone. Death may be sudden and unexpected or we may never see beyond our anger or denial. It is not necessarily a mark of bravery to resist the inevitable and to deny ourselves the opportunity to make our peace. This phase is marked by withdrawal and calm. This is not a period of happiness and must be distinguished from depression.
Loved ones that are terminally ill or aging appear to go through a final period of withdrawal. This is by no means a suggestion that they are aware of their own impending death or such, only that physical decline may be sufficient to produce a similar response. Their behavior implies that it is natural to reach a stage at which social interaction is limited. The dignity and grace shown by our dying loved ones may well be their last gift to us.
Coping with loss is ultimately a deeply personal and singular experience — nobody can help you go through it more easily or understand all the emotions that you’re going through. But others can be there for you and help comfort you through this process. The best thing you can do is to allow yourself to feel the grief as it comes over you. Resisting it only will prolong the natural process of healing.
Excerpt retrieved from www.psychcentral.com on May 27, 2017.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Somebody I know is an alcoholic...Somebody I know hides the same secret every day.

Somebody I know is an alcoholic. Someone you know is an alcoholic. Somebody I know hides the same secret every day. They know about groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and they could seek help from health care providers or medicaid, but medical records are not protected and many alcoholics fear their information will get hacked and shared. They also fear other things – stigma, loss of respect or invalidation by others, loss of self-esteem and job loss or lack of promotions as a result of being exposed.

There is no cure for alcoholism and since it is a progressive disease, it only gets worse over time. The only approach to alcoholism is to 1) stop drinking through rehab or on your own, 2) join a support group, and 3) struggle to stay sober one day at a time. The greatest challenge is to live one day (this day) without alcohol. Whether someone drinks on an hourly basis or yearly basis is not the question. If someone can't handle alcohol, they are either allergic or they are an alcoholic.

But how do you know if you or someone you know is an alcoholic? There are many tell-tale signs. An alcoholic might suddenly disappear for several minutes and return in a different mood. Their behavior might become erratic or belligerent. They always drink too much or whenever they drink, something gets out of control. No, it's probably not you. It's probably that they are under the influence of alcohol.

How do you know you are an alcoholic? You drink too much. You can't drink at all without getting out of control. You deny that you drink too much or that you even drink at all. You think about your next drink incessantly, or you hide evidence of your drinking. You might only drink on special occasions but one drink is never enough. You need a drink or your bodily functions and reactions will seem impaired. You need to fill that hole in your soul with a good stiff drink at least once a day but you might be able to wait. These are only a few tell-tale signs of alcoholism.

For alcohol abusers, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a good place to start.  Or if you feel your loved one has a problem with alcohol, consider joining Al-Anon, a support group for friends and families of alcoholics. They encourage you to take care of yourself and they teach you to separate your identity from that of your alcoholic loved one. If you think you have a problem, attend AA meetings. If you don't want to attend meetings in your hometown, find a town close by and attend weekly meetings there. Keep in mind, if you see anyone at the meeting, they will be anonymous and so will you. If you happen to know anyone attending the meeting, find comfort in knowing they are in the same situation as you are. Or they wouldn't be there.

If you are an alcoholic, get help because alcoholism is a progressive disease – it only gets worse.  If someone you know has a problematic relationship with alcohol, find answers by attending Al-Anon and asking them to attend AA meetings. If they decide to not attend, remember to attend such meetings for your own benefit. After an alcoholic stops drinking, the secret to success is staying sober one day at a time, attending meetings on a regular basis and finding a support group to depend on when the going gets rough. Staying sober is possible, especially when you know you are not alone.