A Closer Look at On Death and Dying essays

A Closer Look at On Death and Dying essays One of the most well known studies of death during the late twentieth century, On Death and Dying was created from an interdisciplinary seminar on death, originated and directed by Dr. Elisabeth Kbler-Ross. In On Death and Dying, Dr. Kbler-Ross first introduced and described the now-famous concept of the five stages of dealing with death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. These five stages can be helpful in recognizing and responding to the psychological state and needs of the patient and of those in grief. With sample interviews and conversations, she gives the reader a better understanding of how impending death affects the patient, the professionals who serve the patient, and the patient's family, bringing hope, comfort, and peace of mind to all involved. The five stages of dying are not mandatory elements in an inflexible sequence or levels that must be attained. It has been said that life is a journey, not a destination, and the same holds true for the process of dying. The stage of acceptance is not a goal to be reached by conquering the other steps. While most patients tend to go through a series of stages, they may go back and forth, skip around, or experience times where the stages seem to overlap, all according to the patients individual needs. With this in mind, it is important to remember that grief encompasses approximately five stages, with each patient progressing at his or her own pace. The first stage of death according to Dr. Kbler-Ross is denial, which typically occurs immediately following the initial diagnosis and prognosis. Patients and those close to them during this stage are not able to admit to themselves that they might die or suffer the immense loss that death represents. Typical responses include saying that the situation is not true, there was a mistake made by the health care professionals, or expressing the need for a second opini...