In the bargaining stage of grief, individuals often experience feelings of what?

In the bargaining stage of grief, individuals often experience feelings of guilt and regret. This stage typically involves an internal struggle to find meaning or reasons behind the loss. People may reflect on what they could have done differently or wish for a chance to reverse the situation. This sense of guilt can manifest as a desire to negotiate with a higher power or fate, often characterized by thoughts such as, "If only I had done this, perhaps things would be different."

The experience of guilt is closely tied to the human need to feel some control over circumstances that seem overwhelmingly unjust. While hope for restoration and acceptance of loss are aspects of other stages of grief, in bargaining, the focus is primarily on the individual's desire to amend or negotiate the reality of their situation, illustrating the emotional turmoil they are facing in their journey through grief.