The Child and Family Counseling Group, P.L.C.

  3959 Pender Drive  •  Suite 320  •  Fairfax, VA 22030  •  (703) 352-3822  •  Fax (703) 385-8353

 


Peter G. Gross, L.C.S.W.

Four Stages of Grief and Phases of Bereavement

1.Shock and Numbness

  • the first 48 hours to 2 weeks
  • judgement making difficult
  • functioning impeded
  • emotional outbursts
  • stunned feelings

2.Searching and Yearning

  • may last for months, peaks between 2 weeks and 2 months then peaks with anniversary
  • anger/guilt
  • restlessness and impatience
  • Can’t make judgments
  • Testing what is real

3.Disorientation and Disorganization

  • most severe in the 4th to 6th month
  • depression
  • overeating or undereating
  • guilt
  • awareness of reality impaired

4.Reorganization

  • earliest at 18 months, for most at 24 months
  • sense of relief
  • renewed energy
  • making better judgments
  • stable eating and sleeping habits

from T. Rando,PhD, 1999