Describe the five reactions to impending death as outlined by Kübler­Ross, and explain how this information on the typical reactions can be used to help those who are dying, their loved ones, and ourselves

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include a discussion of each of the five basic emotional reactions (denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) as well as how individual styles of dying may vary. A typical first reaction is to deny death's reality and isolate oneself from information confirming that death is really going to occur. Many dying individuals feel anger and ask, "why me?" As they face the ultimate threat of having life torn away, their anger may spill over into rage toward the living. In another common reaction, the terminally ill bargain with themselves or with God. As death draws near and the person begins to recognize that it cannot be prevented, feelings of futility, exhaustion, and deep depression may set in. If death is not sudden, many people manage to come to terms with dying and accept it calmly. The person who accepts death is neither happy or sad, but at peace with the inevitable. Not all terminally ill persons display all of these reactions, nor do they always occur in this order. One's approach to dying mirrors one's style of life. First, knowing these reactions can help both the dying and survivors to recognize and cope with periods of depression, anger, denial, and bargaining. Second, it makes people aware that close friends or relatives may also feel many of the same emotions before or after a person's death because they, too, are facing a loss.