Understanding Grief: Identifying the Depression Stage

A 32-year-old woman has recently lost her partner in a tragic car accident. During your assessment, you observe that she has withdrawn from social interactions, displays signs of severe sadness, and struggles with daily activities. As the nurse, you recognize that this situation involves complex emotional responses. Fill in the blank: The woman's behavior may be indicative of different stages of grief, particularly the stage where she may feel intense sorrow, confusion, and a sense of loss of control, which is often referred to as the stage of __________.