This past Thursday, our friend Haley shared with us her presentation “ Five Stages of Grief “

She shared that in life, not only do you have grief when losing a loved one, but you can also have grief over your own diagnosis.  Music helped Haley get through the five steps of grief, and she thinks of different songs for each step.

Haley shared with us the five steps of grief;

1) Denial 

In this stage, we may be telling ourselves this is not happening. When you get news of your diagnosis, it can be a shock to you. You may feel confused and left feeling numb. Where do we go after denial?  You could do research on your own diagnosis, and also start going to a support group. 

2) Anger

This stage may have a masking effect. You may be hiding the pain you are feeling, and you might start to question your moods or the people you have in your life.  There are different ways to cope in this stage.  You can begin journaling and writing things down, maybe going for a long walk, or maybe even take a cold shower. 

3) Bargaining 

In this stage you may feel hopeless and start going through the what ifs. This can also create panic for some people. When coping with the what ifs, try and learn to focus on only what you can control.

4). Depression ( quiet stage )

In this stage you may begin to isolate.  The depression stage may be very hard to get out of.  Remember it’s okay to be a little depressed, but don’t stay there for too long.  Some of the coping mechanisms you may need for depression; seeing your therapist, doctors, and spending time with your friends and family. 

5) Acceptance 

In this final stage, it may not necessarily be a happy or uplifting stage.  When you’re in the stage of Acceptance, it can be a perfect time where you should think about helping others.  Supporting others on their own journey can be beneficial for both of you.