10. What Are the Stages of Dying? - Overview of Kubler-Ross's 5 Stages

anger

Feelings of rage or resentment may overcome this person and the anger may be directed at others as well. Kubler-Ross recommended that doctors and loved ones should not respond to the anger of the dying person with avoidance or returned anger, but instead through support.

Lesson Summary

In summary, Kubler-Ross and colleagues developed a five stage model of death and dying. These stages have different emotional responses that people go through in response to the knowledge of death. They are commonly referred to by an acronym of DABDA and are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. While her theory helped to revolutionize the approach and care provided by doctors in dealing with dying patients, critics have pointed out a few areas concerning the generalizability of the theory. First, dying does not occur in a stage-like progression as indicated by Kubler-Ross. Second, all dying patients are unique and thus their responses to death will be different. Third, unique personalities play a role in the emotional responses of each dying person.

acceptance

Kubler-Ross described this time period as a period of calm and peace. If the dying person was able to work through previous emotional stages, they may be at a point of reflectance and embrace the end of their battle.

Criticism of Kubler-Ross's Theory

One common critique of the theory is the fact that dying does not happen in a stage-like progression. The emotional responses identified by Kubler-Ross may or may not occur in the order outlined in her theory. Additionally, all dying patients are unique. Depending on the type of disease or cause of impending death, people may experience different emotional responses to the particular event happening at that time point. Finally, critics have pointed out that every person has a unique personality, and these personalities play a big role on their emotional responses to death. Depending on the existing support, coping mechanisms and social competencies, one person may be in denial until death, and another may accept the fatal diagnosis right away.

depression

The individual may grieve what they have already lost (for example the ability to walk or have independence) and grieve the impending separation from loved ones.

Kubler-Ross's 5 Stages of grief

she identified a common set of emotional responses to how one deals with death and the knowledge of dying. Those stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

addition to the five stages

that is hope. Kubler-Ross stated that hope is critical for dying patients, even if it is just the hope of dying with dignity.

denial

the initial (and most common) emotional response to the knowledge of impending death is denial. denial serves as a defense mechanism. Denying the inevitable helps ease anxiety and fearful thoughts.

bargaining

the person may try to bargain for a cure, extra time with family or less pain.

psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

wrote On Death and Dying, a work that was said to have revolutionized the care of dying people by making society and doctors aware and more sensitive to the emotional needs of dying people.