5 Stages of Coping with Abduction

An excerpt from my book, "From My Side Of The Bed." Chapter 3, Abductions Begin...

While helping Stan through his experiences, I began to notice that there was a pattern of emotional responses to these sightings and abduction events; much the same as the emotional struggles experienced by the family members of the elderly population I cared for. I have come to realize that the abductees/experiencers and their families and friends go through a coping process much like dealing with a terminal diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and even death. Abduction experiences also affect you in stages in much the same way. These feelings are to be expected, and they’re normal.

Denial is the first step. Some experiencers of ET contact tend to withdraw from the world around them. Others may feel as though they must be having a bad dream and that they’ll soon awaken from it. Most don’t want to believe that aliens are real or that what they have experienced is possible.

The second step is anger. Experiencers and people close to them are angry that these experiences are happening to them. They may lash out at the people closest to them, and not know why they are doing it. Anger may also lead to feelings of guilt.

Bargaining is the third step in this process. Many experiencers begin to bargain with themselves and others. If this will stop, I will be a better person. They imagine that if they promise to do this or that, God will return things to the way they used to be.

Like in the death process, the stage to follow is depression. For many, this can be the most difficult stage to get through. Signs of depression include a feeling of melancholy, unconcern about the outside world, or a loss of interest in eating and sleeping. Feelings of guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are common.

The final stage is acceptance. As abductees deal with these experiences and accept that they are real, they come to understand and accept that they are beginning a new chapter in life. A new "normal" emerges, and in such a new understanding the happiness and laughter returns.

Live without fear, Love without limit...

Lisa Romanek