Understanding Theories of Coping
Dying trajectories are defined different patterns of death associated with different causes. This means that there is no exact to determine a person’s passing. A graphic representation can be constructed of the dying process. Along the horizontal axis time is to be recorded and along the vertical axis nearness to death is recorded. The condition of a dying individual is plotted across time, the dying trajectory is the resulting curve.
Awareness contexts is defined as what each interacting person knows of the patient's defined status, along with his recognition of the others’ awareness of his own definition … awareness context … is the context within which these people interact while taking cognizance of it. (Awareness contexts, 2007). There are of awareness contexts that a dying person and his/her associates and healthcare providers can take, they are;
Closed awareness- this simply means that the person that is dying has not yet been informed of this fact. Family and health care providers know this but have not told the patient yet.
Suspected Awareness- the person that is dying may suspect that they are dying but have not been given the information that is relative to his or her situation.
Mutual pretense- the relevant information is held by all parties involved in the situation but it is not shared between them.
Open awareness- the dying person and everyone involved realize and accept the fact that the person is dying. They are willing to discuss it openly.
There are five stage of the stage based model. The five stages are as follows:
Denial- numbness and disbelief are the first reaction in this stage
Anger- this is a typical reaction when you feel powerless and helpless
Bargaining- this is where the person feels there may have been something they personally could or should have done to prevent death.
Depression- some symptoms in this stage can be loss of appetite, inability to sleep, depletion of energy and...