Things You'll Need:
- Recognition that you are receiving bad news
- Acceptance that it is real
- Openness to deal with it
-
Step 1
Accept the bad news for what it is. It is a common human trait to go into denial about bad news because it is easier to face life when you ignore it. However to move on you must accept the reality of the bad news. You must face it with a hands on approach so that the impact of it becomes real to you.
-
Step 2
Get out of the shock of the bad news by accepting and not hiding from it. Do an honest assessment of the degree of loss this bad news is bringing to your life, and possibly the lives of your family members, friends and your community at large.
-
Step 3
Make a plan of action to deal with the bad news. You can become more successful in coping with it if you allow yourself to sit down and write out a plan of action. Use the tips below to assist you to develop your plan of action.
-
Step 4
Accept the help and support of others when you receive the bad news. Don't be prideful. Be willing to accept the offer of help form others. You are most vulnerable during these times and need other’s support and kindness. This is a time when others will offer help but you have to be open and willing to be helped. Granted it might feel strange to be on the receiving end of help, but it is a time when you are very fragile and such support will help you get stronger and more grounded as you pull out of this bad news reality.
-
Step 5
Recognize that this time of bad news is a test of your courage and strength. There is so much fear and uncertainty when you receive bad news and it really challenges you to call on all of your physical, emotional and spiritual resources to rally support for yourself. No one is expecting you to say, "I’ll be fine!" "I’m OK!" or “This is no big thing!” On the contrary the expectation is that you will reach out for help and assistance. In so doing you will admit how devastated, overwhelmed and broken you are from this bad news. It takes courage and strength to admit that you're depressed, overwhelmed, broken, lost, sickened and desperate from this bad news. Be courageous and summon up the strength to admit the emotional, physical and spiritual pain you are experiencing.
-
Step 6
Join a support group. After the initial shock of the bad news is over get support for yourself. There are support groups for people in all kinds of situations. Do not hesitate to seek out such supports. It is not easy to overcome the impact of bad news and it is helpful to meet people who have been there, done that, and have the t-shirt to prove it. Having role models of people who have successfully coped with bad news like yours gives you added strength, support and encouragement to keep on your plan of action to cope and survive. If you isolate yourself from the support of others you are guaranteeing that you will have a less than successful time of coping with the losses involved in your bad news and a prognosis of extended emotional and physical instability.
-
Step 7
Evaluate your plan of action frequently to evaluate your success in coping. It is important that you spend time to evaluate how well you are doing in adjusting to the changes which come from your situation. It is important that you are open to modifying your plan of action so that you can be more successful coping with this bad news. Being willing to admit that you have been less than successful in coping is the first step of getting back on track to coping and surviving your bad experience.
Comments
simoblue said
on 6/14/2008 Thank you for this amazing article but I must tell you that sometimes people can cope much better with their problems when they are alone.Having someone around can make it worse.
simoblue said
on 6/14/2008 Thank you for this amazing article but I must tell you that sometimes people can cope much better with their problems when they are alone.Having someone around can make it worse.