One of the most popular models of grief divides it into 5 stages.

• Denial: this may include a feeling of numbness and also pseudohallucinations of the deceased, both auditory and visual. Occasionally people may focus on physical objects that remind them of their loved one or even prepare meals for them
• Anger: this is commonly directed against other family members and medical professionals
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance

It should be noted that many patients will not go through all 5 stages.

Atypical grief reaction

Abnormal, or atypical, grief reactions are more likely to occur in women and if the death is sudden and unexpected. Other risk factors include a problematic relationship before death or if the patient has not much social support.

Features of atypical grief reactions include:

• delayed grief: sometimes said to occur when more than 2 weeks passes before grieving begins
• prolonged grief: difficult to define. Normal grief reactions may take up to and beyond 12 months