Stages of Dying
Human lives take different paths. One thing that remains inevitable is death. Most people experience fear and anxiety at the thought of death. Based on this reason, most people try different approaches to live longer. The situation is more difficult for patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Although everyone dies eventually, such patients are faced with the harsh reality of dying sooner than they expected. After receiving the information on their diagnosis, these patients will go through different stages before accepting the dying fact (Bregman, 2017). However, some patients do not achieve all the steps.
According to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, terminally ill patients undergo five stages while dealing with dying. This theorist focused on the psychological stages of processing the information on death. This approach is because the news affects these patients mentally. According to the theorist, the patients will deal with anger, bargaining, and feelings of isolation before finally accepting the reality they are faced with. Some patients also sink into depression after diagnosis of terminal illnesses. Dying people will negotiate these stages differently depending on other factors in their lives (Bregman, 2017), including social, economic, or co-morbid conditions the patient presents.
Although Elizabeth Kubler-Ross established these stages for patients suffering from terminal illnesses, the theory can be applied to other life situations. For example, individuals dealing with other losses in life, including termination of employment, failed relationships, or loss of a loved one. The application is because people negotiating such life situations and adversities also deal with the same issues identified by the theorist. For example, an individual who has just lost a job will deal with anger and start bargaining on the next step of action (Norris, 2016). The person may also avoid social interactions while negotiating the loss. Eventually, one accepts the loss and decides to move on with life. Acceptance may involve dealing with the current situation by finding a new job and setting up a business. The individual can also identify other ways of raising money to meet the financial needs that were previously covered by the income from the previous job.
References
Bregman, L. (2017). Dying in five stages: Death and emotions in Kübler-Ross and her influence. Pakistan Journal of Historical Studies, 2(2), 33-61. https://doi.org/10.2979/pjhs.2.2.02
Norris, D. R. (2016). Job loss, identity, and mental health. Rutgers University Press.