Phase 1 — Impact
Hours to days
Response: Should you stay and face it or withdraw
Thoughts: You are numb and disoriented. Your insight ability is limited and your feelings overwhelm.
Direction You Take to Regain Control: You search for what you lost.
Searching Behavior: You often reminisce.
Phase 2 — Withdrawal / Confusion
Days to Weeks
Response: Do you feel intense emotion or feel drained? Are you angry, sad, fearful, anxious, depressed, raging or guilty?
Thoughts: Your thinking ability is limited. It is uncertain and ambiguous.
Direction You Take to Regain Control: Your are bargaining–wishful thinking. Detachment is involved.
Searching Behavior: You are puzzled; things are unclear.
Phase 3 — Adjustment
Weeks to Months
Response: Your positive thoughts begin returning along with intense emotions.
Thoughts: You’re now able to problem solve.
Direction You Take to Regain Control: You begin looking for something new to invest in.
Searching Behavior: You can now stay focused and begin to learn from your experience.
Phase 4 — Reconstruction / Reconciliation
Months
Response: Hope has returned. You are more self-confident.
Thoughts: Thinking is clearer.
Direction You Take to Regain Control: Progress is evident and new attachments are made to something significant.
Searching Behavior: You may want to stop and evaluate where you’ve been and where you’re going.
