People who deal with difficult diagnoses or medical malpractice errors that leave them permanently disabled or injured often experience grief. It is important to remember that grief can happen with any form of loss and not just after the death of a loved one. Georgia residents who are grieving from a medical problem should understand the stages of grief and how to cope.
Understanding the stages of grief
After being the victim of medical malpractice or receiving a difficult diagnosis, it is normal to feel a sense of denial. That is the first stage of grief. The second stage is anger. That anger may be toward a negligent doctor, toward the situation or something else. Bargaining is the next stage, and it is followed by depression. Ultimately, the final stage is acceptance. Not all people experience these five stages in that order. It is completely normal to experience them all, and some people may find that one stage lasts longer than others.
Knowing when to get help
It is good to seek counseling or professional help throughout the grief process. Some people may experience prolonged depression after being the victim of medical malpractice. Others may develop anxiety, PTSD or other mental health issues as a result of the experience. Today, counselors often use cognitive behavioral therapy and talk therapy to help people discover the cause of their anger and develop coping strategies. Also, therapy is helpful for people who were diagnosed with cancer or a serious, degenerative illness.
Not all types of injuries from medical malpractice are physical. It is also important to be aware that some forms of malpractice are psychological. Counselors can help people work through mental health issues that stem from any type of injury.