Phases of Grief

Much of the literature on “phases of grief” is based on the contributions of John Bowlby and Colin Parkes. Following from Bowlby’s (1961, 1970, 1980) research in early attachment and primary relationships, Parkes (1972, 1983) proposed a phase theory of how the bereaved return to feelings of safety and security again (homeostasis) as they resolve their grief. Parkes focused on how people process information, and he proposed that the bereaved use a “filtering” system to let through or filter out unwanted information. According to Parkes, the process of grieving is an overall process of realization, in which the individual comes to terms with the reality of the loss.

Parkes (1972, 1983) argued that the bereaved must progress through four overlapping phases of grief before the process of realization is complete. In the first phase (shock and numbness), individuals have difficulty comprehending and believing that the death has occurred. They feel stunned by the impact of the loss. In the second phase (yearning and searching), they may refuse to acknowledge the loss and attempt to return things to the way they were, pre-loss. They search for the deceased, trying to bring the deceased back into close proximity to relieve their feelings of separation anxiety. Alternatively, they may refuse to allow the belongings of the deceased to be moved, simply yearning for them to return home and find things just the way they should be. When the individual realizes that this is not possible, feelings of frustration and anger may result. In the third phase (disorganization and despair), the person is easily distracted, has trouble focusing and concentrating, and may become depressed. It is in this stage that the survivor comes to realize that the deceased is not coming back and this recognition leaves some individuals confused, fearful, and uncertain about their future. In the fourth phase (reorganization and recovery), the individual realizes that life continues without the deceased and begins to rebuild life without them.

As with stage versions, phasal models of grief should be regarded only as descriptive, as opposed to prescriptive, guidelines. Not all individuals show signs of moving through all of the phases or in the sequence described.

References:

Bowlby, J. (1961). Processes of mourning. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 42,
317-339.
Because of the get viagra from india convenience and the choice of experts. Many acquisition de viagra http://www.devensec.com/forms/Applic_1_Day_License.pdf men the world over have attested to the effectiveness of just a single pill. Tadalista Super Active is not devensec.com order levitra recommended to take the drug if you are less than 18 years old. Clearly, customers are very value-focused right now, and are likely to be for a while, so price generic viagra cialis points must be sharp. Bowlby, J. (1970. Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute
of Psycho-Analysis.
Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss: Loss, sadness, and depression. New York: Basic
Books.
Parkes, C. (1972). Bereavement: Studies of grief in adult life. London, England: Tavistock.
Parkes, C. M., & Weiss, R. S. (1983). Recovery from bereavement. New York: Basic
Books.