Hannah Ouellette
English 1
Mrs. Russman
15 May 2014
The Effects of a Loss

People experience grief for different reasons but go through certain stages/steps which leads to helping them cope with their loss (Axelrod). There are many reasons as to why people grieve, Everyone is different so they experience grief in an individual way
(Axelrod), During this time it is best to support the griever by helping them cope.
Reasons for why people grieve is because of a loss. Not always is the loss big it could be as little as graduating school to as big of losing a loved one (Doka).There are two types of losses a sudden loss or a predictable one (“Grief and loss”). A predictable loss is something you can prepare yourself for. During this time you could grieve two times one grieving for the anticipation of the loss The second one is when the loss happens you get a new type of grief one because of the loss. A sudden loss is something you can’t prepare yourself for because it happens unexpectedly (“Grief and loss”). When grieving there are five stages(Axelrod).Even though there are certain stages for grief not everyone goes through each step or goes through them in a certain order (Axelrod). The first stage of grief is denial. During this stage we use a defense mechanism that buffers the immediate shock. We block out the words and hide from the facts to keep ourselves from feeling the pain of the loss.The second stage of grief is anger. During this stage we tend to blame everything off the loss on anyone and

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Hannah Ouellette
English 1
Mrs. Russman
15 May 2014 anything. If the loss was the death of a loved one due to an illness we tend to blame them or even the doctor for not solving the problem(Axelrod).The third stage of grief is bargaining. During this stage we feel helplessness, we wonder if I did this then maybe that wouldn’t have happened or it could have delayed it a little longer (Axelrod). The fourth stage of grief is Depression. They’re two types of depression associated to mourning. The first one is a reaction to practical implications relating to the loss.
Sadness and regret predominate this type of depression. The second type of depression is more subtle and, in a sense, perhaps more private. It is our quiet preparation to separate and to bid our loved one farewell (Axelrod).The fifth stage of grief is acceptance. During this stage we learn to accept the fact that in a case of losing someone that they are gone this helps you move on and cope with the loss (Axelrod).
While grieving people often have trouble concentrating and have a lack of energy and motivation (“Grief and Loss”).
When someone is grieving it is often best to be there to support them. While being there