 Definition of thanatology?  Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s stages › Stage 1-Denial › Stage 2- Anger › Stage 3- Bargaining › Stage 4-Depression › Stage 5- Acceptance

 based on her research and interviews with more than 500 dying patients  process by which people cope with tragedy, especially when diagnosed with a terminal illness or experience a catastrophic loss.cope tragedyterminal illness catastrophicloss  Sometimes experienced in a roller coaster effect

 Not meant to be chronoligical or fully completed  Not everyone who experiences a tragedy feels all nor does everyone who does so in that order  Reactions to tragedies such as illness, death or loss are as unique as the person experiencing them

 Initial reaction  “I feel fine”  “ This cant be happening, not to me”  Only a temporary defense  Normally replaced with heightened awareness of possessions and individuals that are left behind

 “ Why me?!” “It’s not fair!”  “how can this happen to me?”  Denial cannot continue  Because of anger, very difficult to care for  Misplaced feelings of rage and envy

 “I’ll do anything for a few more years”  “I will give my life savings if…”  Involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone it or delay it  Normally “discussed” with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle  Try to buy more time

 “Why bother” “What’s the point?”  dying person begins to understand the certainty of death  Person may become quiet, refuse friends, spend a lot of time crying/grieving  Disconnect from things of love and affection  Not recommended to cheer them up

 “it’s going to be okay”  “I may as well prepare for it”  Begins to come to terms with her/his mortality or that of a loved one/tragedy

 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry ›  American Psychological Association  Association of Death Education & Counseling ›  Center for Mental Health Services  The Compassionate Friends ›  Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Website  GriefNet Website ›  National Center for Grieving Children & Families ›

 While grieving is a normal, natural process, it is certainly not an easy one. If someone you know has recently died, there are several things that you can do make the grieving process less painful and confusing.  Get support  Express your feelings  Stay healthy  Postpone major life changes  Be patient  Be forgiving  Return to life  Seek outside help when necessary

 Myth 1 › Time heals all wounds  Myth 2  Keeping busy will help you recover from your grief  Myth 3  Crying is a normal way to express grief  Myth 4  You’ll get over your grief eventually

 Myth 5  Everyone goes through the same feelings of grief  Myth 6 › Talking about the deceased person can help those who are grieving  Myth 7 › Helping someone deal with a loss is not always a personal, family responsibility.