In this article I speak to the “bargaining” stage in the grieving process of individuals who experience traumatic brain injury.
To watch and listen to a video presentation of this article, click on this link: Traumatic Brain Injury and Bargaining in the Five Stages of Grieving Video Presentation
Article
Several days ago a member of our Building Your Life after Traumatic Brain Injury Facebook community asked a great question.
A question in response to an article that I wrote, Dispelling the Notion of Dis-ability — I Just Do Things in Ways that Work For Me
Five Stages of Grieving
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance
Comment and Question
“I enjoyed and learned some interesting things reading this article. I am interested in the 5 stages you mentioned. I am still working through them. I hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I wondered what the Bargaining stage is? I’m sorry I don’t know this but I feel it important. Thank you, Craig!”
Shared with a Support Group
Earlier this evening, I shared some thoughts on the topic surrounding the grieving process in a support group meeting. In reflection of what I shared in that meeting, I feel led to share my response in this article. My response to surrounding the bargaining stage in the grieving process.
Bargaining My Way Out
Thank you for your comment. Great question. As I understand, when I got to the stage of bargaining I tried to disprove what I had spent many years denying. Although I realized I could not change the impact of my brain injury, (as when I confronted my denial and anger) in the bargaining stage I tried in desperation to disprove my powerlessness. I tried to “bargain” my way out of being impacted by my traumatic brain injury.
When I Experienced Hope
When I reached a point in time when I realized that I could do nothing to change being powerless I started to experience depression. The next stage in the process of grieving. As I worked through my depression, I was able to begin to accept my powerless. As I grew in acceptance I was able to get into action. By getting into action, I began to realize that I gained the power of choice. As I embraced choice, I experienced hope.
I would invite you to join our Facebook community: Building Your Life after Traumatic Brain Injury
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