A patient with a new SCI at C6 exhibits disbelief that the injury is real, stating they expect to wake up tomorrow back to normal. This is most consistent with which stage of grief?

A patient with a new SCI at C6 exhibits disbelief that the injury is real, stating they expect to wake up tomorrow back to normal. This is most consistent with which stage of grief?

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

Answer: (D)

Disbelief and refusal to accept the injury as real is the first stage of grief after a sudden spinal cord injury. The patient may seem detached from reality, expecting to wake up tomorrow and be normal again. This protective reaction helps buffer the emotional shock and gives time to process the loss. It’s common in the acute phase and often evolves as reality sinks in. Anger involves frustration or hostility, bargaining is the attempt to regain what was lost through promises or negotiations, and acceptance means acknowledging the reality and moving forward with adaptation.

Disbelief and refusal to accept the injury as real is the first stage of grief after a sudden spinal cord injury. The patient may seem detached from reality, expecting to wake up tomorrow and be normal again. This protective reaction helps buffer the emotional shock and gives time to process the loss. It’s common in the acute phase and often evolves as reality sinks in. Anger involves frustration or hostility, bargaining is the attempt to regain what was lost through promises or negotiations, and acceptance means acknowledging the reality and moving forward with adaptation.