Death, it is something we will all experience one day and yet something many people fear. Perhaps this fear comes from the unknown. Not knowing when or how one will die can bring on a lot of anxiety for people. In addition, learning that one has a terminal illness can also bring on fear and other emotions. Coming to terms with the realization that you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, according to psychiatrist Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, is dealt with in five stages. Kübler-Ross discovered these stages while working as a consultant at a Chicago hospital in the 1960’s. She felt that the emotional needs of patients who had received terminal diagnosis were being neglected. In 1969 she proposed her stage theory of dying. These five emotional
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When a person receives a diagnosis of a terminal illness such as cancer they begin here with denial. They don’t believe this can happen to them. They believe that there must be some mistake. Perhaps the medical tests were not done correctly or they were mixed up. They believe there must be another explanation, however, the terminal diagnosis is wrong. They are in complete denial. Denial can only last so long. Then they move onto anger.
Next, in the anger stage people lash out. Often lashing out at others in an irrational manor. They blame others for their situation. Sometimes blaming the doctor for now knowing sooner in hopes to change the outcome. Other times their anger is directed towards family members or friends. “Why did I get lung cancer at 55 while my brother who has smiled a pack of cigarettes a day since he was 20, still remains in perfect health?” (Belsky, 2010). Eventually, anger subsides and the bargaining stage is …show more content…
The person realizes that their fate is death by the diagnosis given. However, in the stages of death and dying there are two types of depression. The first type is sadness and regret. The concern that medical or funeral expenses will take a toll on our family or perhaps we did not spend enough time with those who we really wanted to. This can also be regret that we did not accomplish the things we wanted to in life or that our bucket list has too many items left undone. The second type of depression is a more personal and perhaps private depression. This is when we prepare for separation from our loved ones and the struggle to say goodbye. Once reality has set in, the person reaches
When a person receives a diagnosis of a terminal illness such as cancer they begin here with denial. They don’t believe this can happen to them. They believe that there must be some mistake. Perhaps the medical tests were not done correctly or they were mixed up. They believe there must be another explanation, however, the terminal diagnosis is wrong. They are in complete denial. Denial can only last so long. Then they move onto anger.
Next, in the anger stage people lash out. Often lashing out at others in an irrational manor. They blame others for their situation. Sometimes blaming the doctor for now knowing sooner in hopes to change the outcome. Other times their anger is directed towards family members or friends. “Why did I get lung cancer at 55 while my brother who has smiled a pack of cigarettes a day since he was 20, still remains in perfect health?” (Belsky, 2010). Eventually, anger subsides and the bargaining stage is …show more content…
The person realizes that their fate is death by the diagnosis given. However, in the stages of death and dying there are two types of depression. The first type is sadness and regret. The concern that medical or funeral expenses will take a toll on our family or perhaps we did not spend enough time with those who we really wanted to. This can also be regret that we did not accomplish the things we wanted to in life or that our bucket list has too many items left undone. The second type of depression is a more personal and perhaps private depression. This is when we prepare for separation from our loved ones and the struggle to say goodbye. Once reality has set in, the person reaches