The first stage of grief is usually which of the following?

• A. Anger
• B. Denial
• C. Bargaining
• D. Depression

Answer: (B)

Denial acts as the initial response to a loss. It serves as a protective buffer, softening the blow so the reality can be absorbed gradually rather than all at once. In this stage, a person might feel disbelief or think, “This can’t be happening.” That disbelief gives the mind time to start processing the situation without being overwhelmed by emotion immediately. As the reality sinks in, many people then move through subsequent reactions like anger, bargaining, and depression before reaching a sense of acceptance. Remember, grieving is a personal process and people don’t all experience the same stages or in the same order, but denying the reality often marks the starting point of coping with the loss.