-Jarytza Linares
We have all heard the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance in the grief and loss process. This design was originally created by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross to portray how terminally ill people navigate their feelings when they know they will not recover. It has since expanded to become one of the most popular designs for the grieving process. Everyone has a different experience with grief, and while this model names some of the emotions, it does not encompass all experiences. It also creates an assumption that grieving is linear, but people can move up and down these stages of grief. Not processing grief through these stages may cause frustration as people think that they should be processing and “getting over” their feelings of grief differently.
A different model of the grieving process created by Margaret Stroebe and Hank Schut depicts a different image of the grieving process of the Dual Process model. This model identifies two aspects of adjustment: the Loss and the Restoration. It portrays that people will shift between these two feelings as they continue their life after a loss.
Loss Oriented
Anger, and depression are some aspects from the Kübler-Ross stages that emotions experienced in this phase. Activities in this section include crying, reminiscing, and avoiding restoration activities.
It can be expressed as holding on to the past, remembering the aspects that have changed.
Loss orientation has its attributes in remembering the loss, honoring the memories and special moments. Yearning for the past is natural and there is no amount of time that determines when it will end.
Restoration Oriented
This section includes coping with life after the loss. It includes the moments when an individual is adjusting to changes in their daily lives produced from their loss. Activities in this section include distracting oneself from the emotions brought on by grief, or forming new routines. When grieving the death of a loved one, guilt is a common feeling in this section that moves people towards the loss oriented section, due to the thought that if one is not feeling sadness they are not honoring their memory.
Neither of these sections are “bad,” as they both belong in the process of adjustment to any change. People grief differently, everyone reacts to their experience of emotions differently. Recognizing them allows for validation of an individual process. It is also important to note that grief can be felt regardless of the kind of loss experienced, not only to the death of a loved one. Any change can cause grief, from the loss of a relationship, job, or any situation that would involve adjusting to something new.
https://mindfulnessandgrief.com/dual-process-model-of-grief/
https://whatsyourgrief.com/dual-process-model-of-grief/
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