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Difference Between 5 Stages and 7 Stages of Grief

Difference Between 5 Stages and 7 Stages of Grief

The concepts of the “5 stages of grief” and the “7 stages of grief” are both models that describe the emotional and psychological processes people may go through when dealing with grief and loss. However, they are associated with different theories and have some variations in their stages.

5 Stages of Grief (Kübler-Ross Model):

  • Denial: Initially, individuals may have difficulty accepting the reality of the loss.
  • Anger: As the reality of the loss sets in, people may become angry and resentful.
  • Bargaining: In this stage, individuals may try to make deals or bargains to reverse or mitigate the loss.
  • Depression: This stage involves deep feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair.
  • Acceptance: Ultimately, individuals come to terms with the loss and find a way to move forward with their lives.

7 Stages of Grief (David Kessler Model):

  • Shock: Similar to denial, this stage involves the initial reaction to the loss.
  • Denial: As in the 5-stage model, individuals may initially deny the reality of the loss.
  • Anger: People may experience anger and frustration as they come to terms with the loss.
  • Bargaining: Like the 5-stage model, individuals may try to make deals or bargains.
  • Depression: This stage involves deep sadness and despair.
  • Acceptance: Individuals gradually accept the reality of the loss.
  • Finding Meaning: Kessler’s model adds this stage, where individuals search for a sense of purpose or meaning in the loss.

It’s important to note that these models are not meant to be a strict roadmap for how everyone experiences grief. Grief is a highly individualized and complex process, and not everyone will go through all these stages, or they may experience them in a different order. Additionally, some experts argue that the idea of fixed stages may oversimplify the grieving process, which can be more fluid and varied. These models serve as general frameworks to help people understand and cope with grief but should not be seen as definitive or universal descriptions of the experience.

If you think you are struggling with grief, contact Elevate Psychologists to find out how we can help.