This stage usually involves feelings of guilt, whether or not those feelings are well founded. A frequent thought in this stage is the "if only" statement: "If only I would have done THIS, then THAT would have never happened," etc.

Bargaining can last a while as we sort through our emotions. It can also be fleeting thoughts that come and go as we begin to process our child's diagnosis. Moving in and out of bargaining quickly or being in this stage while simultaneously in another is common.

We can think of bargaining as our mind trying to restore or find our way back to the way things were before diagnosis. Knowing that can help us identify when we are stuck in these thoughts and hopefully propel us toward acceptance and progress.

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