Aplastic Anemia Home
Navigation Page
Aplastic Patient Forum

FREE Aplastic Book Preview
Patient Stories

Add Your Story

          
     Web Site 
Start Here AA White Paper Old AA Forums Bone Marrow Forum Bruce BLOG Email Bruce
AAMDS MDS Org UK AA Org Bone Marrow Disorders Transplants LINKS
Old Patient Stories Bruce Story Alternative Wellness Aplastic Music AA to MDS? Short List

Seven Stages of Coping with AA

The grieving process usually consists of the following stages. Note that not everyone goes through all these stages and is very typical to go back and forth even in the span of a few hours.  I personally bounce back and forth between anger, acceptance and hope a lot.  Stop by the Quotes Page for some real live encouragement.

Denial and Shock
At first, it may be difficult for you to accept your illness or that  of a loved one. As a result you will deny the reality of the illness. However, this denial will gradually diminish as you begins to express and share your feelings about it with others.

Anger
During this stage the most common question asked is "why me?". You are angry at what you perceive to be the unfairness of it all and you may project and displace your anger unto others. When given some social support and respect, you will eventually become less angry and able to move into the next stage of grieving.

Bargaining
Many patients try to bargain with some sort of diety. They probably try to bargain and offer to give up an enjoyable part of their lives in exchange for the return of health or the ill person.

Guilt
You may find yourself feeling guilty for things you did or didn't do prior to the illness. Forgive yourself. Accept your humanness.

Depression
You may at first experience a sense of great loss. Mood fluctuations and feelings of isolation and withdrawal may follow. It takes time for you, the grieving person, to gradually return to your old self and become socially involved in what's going on around you.

Please note that encouragement and reassurance to the patient will not be helpful in this stage.

Loneliness
As you go through changes in your social life because of the illness, you may feel lonely and afraid. The more you are able to reach out to others and make new friends, the more this feeling lessens.

Acceptance
Acceptance does not mean happiness. Instead you accept and deal with the reality of the situation.

Hope
Eventually you will reach a point where remembering will be less painful and you can begin to look ahead to the future and more good times.

Ways to Cope with AA and other Illnesses

  • Discuss feelings such as loneliness, anger, and sadness openly and honestly with others 
  • Maintain hope and encourage it within others
  • If your religious convictions are important to you, talk to a member of the clergy about your beliefs and feelings
  • Join a support group
  • Take good care of yourself. Eat well-balanced meals. Get plenty of rest.
  • Be patient with yourself. It takes time to heal. Some days will be better than others.
  • Visit the Quotes Page at this website for inspiration from fellow patients and family members.

Adapted from http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/coping.shtml

 

 

We are not medical professionals and bear no responsibility for the information presented at this site. 
This site is strictly a forum for the free exchange of information about Aplastic Anemia
Please contact your caretakers before using any of the information presented or linked.