What Is Divorce Grief?
People who are divorcing experience grieving emotions that are like the ones we feel when a loved one dies. What is divorce grief?
In 1969, based on her years of working with terminal cancer patients, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced what became known as the “five stages of grief.”
It’s important for people divorcing to understand the stages of grief and their place in it, so they can progress towards healing. It is also important to understand that people move through the stages differently and with different reactions. Some people move through the stages rapidly and are quickly able to feel peace and renewed hope. Others move much more slowly and struggle with the sense of loss and sadness for years. Some will always experience intermittent sadness.
Kübler-Ross’ stages of grief have evolved to include the following stages:
• Shock/Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”
• Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”
• Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”
• Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”
• Understanding/Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what is going to happen/has happened.”
• Management/Action Plan: “I am ready to make plans for the future.”
In 1969, based on her years of working with terminal cancer patients, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced what became known as the “five stages of grief.”
It’s important for people divorcing to understand the stages of grief and their place in it, so they can progress towards healing. It is also important to understand that people move through the stages differently and with different reactions. Some people move through the stages rapidly and are quickly able to feel peace and renewed hope. Others move much more slowly and struggle with the sense of loss and sadness for years. Some will always experience intermittent sadness.
Kübler-Ross’ stages of grief have evolved to include the following stages:
• Shock/Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”
• Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”
• Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”
• Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”
• Understanding/Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what is going to happen/has happened.”
• Management/Action Plan: “I am ready to make plans for the future.”