“I will be good for the rest f life and dedicate my life to helping the poor if you let me live”. This is an example of which stage of dying? Denial Acceptance Depression Bargaining
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: Bargaining
Explanation (300 words):
The statement “I will be good for the rest of my life and dedicate my life to helping the poor if you let me live” is a classic example of the bargaining stage in the Kübler-Ross model of the five stages of dying, also known as the stages of grief. These stages are: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. This model was introduced by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book On Death and Dying.
The bargaining stage occurs when individuals facing death or a significant loss begin to make deals—often with a higher power—in an attempt to delay or reverse the inevitable. It’s a psychological defense mechanism where the person tries to regain control by promising changes in behavior or offering sacrifices in exchange for more time or a second chance.
In the quoted statement, the individual is negotiating: promising to “be good” and “help the poor” as a condition for being allowed to continue living. This indicates they are not fully ready to accept their fate, and instead seek to postpone it by offering moral or spiritual concessions.
This stage is often characterized by thoughts like:
- “If only I could live to see my child graduate…”
- “If I recover, I promise to live a better life…”
- “I’ll donate everything to charity if I’m healed…”
These thoughts reflect a temporary truce with reality, where hope is rekindled through negotiation. It’s important to note that this is a natural and normal response to the fear and helplessness associated with terminal illness or impending loss. Recognizing this stage can help caregivers provide appropriate emotional support, allowing the individual to express these feelings without judgment.