This may also include significant life events such as the death of a loved one, divorce, drug addiction, the onset of a disease or chronic illness, an infertility diagnosis, as well many tragedies and disasters. Kubler-Ross claimed these steps do not necessarily come in the order noted, nor are all steps experienced by all patients, though she stated a person will always experience at least two. (Kubler-Ross, 1969).
The five stages of grief are denial ("I feel fine", "This is not happening to me"), anger ("Why me?"), bargaining ("I'll do anything for a few more years"etc), depression ("I'm going to die, what's the point?") and finally acceptance ("I'm going to be ok."). Often, people will experience several stages in a "roller coaster" effect-switching between two or more stages, returning to one or more several times before working through it. Significantly, people experiencing the stages should not force the process. The grief process is highly personal and should not be rushed, nor lengthened, on the basis of an individual's imposed time frame or opinion. One should merely be aware that the stages will be worked through and the ultimate stage of "acceptance" will be reached. (Kubler-Ross, 1969) However, there are individuals who struggle with death until the end. .
Some psychologists believe that the harder a person fights death, the more likely they are to stay in the denial stage. If this is the case, it is possible the ill person will have more difficulty dying in a dignified way. Other psychologists state that not confronting death until the end is adaptive for some people. Those who experience problems working through the stages should consider professional grief counseling or support groups. Grief communication occurs in grief-stricken people, through their emotions, actions, and words. Kübler-Ross placed much emphasis on communication.
