Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth
Denial — Often denial is the first stage. “I can’t be dying. Not me.”
Anger — As the disease worsens and denial becomes less possible, there may be anger. “Why me?”
Bargaining — “If I do such and such, can I put off death for a while?”
Depression — When the bargaining doesn’t work, depression may set in.
Acceptance — “I accept my fate and am ready to die.”
The stages may not progress in this order. The person who is dying, and those who love them, may go back and forth among some or all of these and other emotions.
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