During the grieving process, which emotion typically follows anger?

The emotion that typically follows anger in the grieving process is bargaining. During grief, individuals often experience a range of emotions that can fluctuate in intensity and duration. After the stage of anger, which may involve feelings of frustration or helplessness regarding the loss, individuals may enter a stage of bargaining.

Bargaining is often characterized by attempts to regain control over the situation through negotiation, whether it be with themselves, others, or even a higher power. This may manifest in thoughts such as, “If only I had done something differently, maybe they would still be here,” or “I would do anything to bring them back.” This stage involves an internal struggle with the reality of the loss and an effort to find meaning or prevent the pain.

This progression through the stages of grief is not strictly linear; individuals may cycle through these emotions multiple times. Understanding this can help healthcare providers and support systems offer appropriate support to individuals navigating their grief.