Most common and often helpful for person

Silence
Humour
Denial/Disbelief
Anger (direct or deflected; abstract or specific)
Fearful/anxious
Hopeful (realistically)
Increased sex drive
Bargaining
Numbness

Less common and often unhelpful for person

Non-stop talking
Guilt -self-blame – regret
Pathaoloigcal denial
Rage
Collapse
Terror
Unrealistically hopeful
Despair
Deceit/manipulative behaviour
setting an impossible ‘quest’

Remember: Reactions are socially and culturally influenced so it is always important to consider people’s reactions in light of their situation.

Noticing Displacement: A person will likely divert their attention and emotions elsewhere, for example they may focus on point on the wall, or stare at their hands whilst they fidget. However, they are likely to still be listening and in the ‘here and now’.

Noticing Dissociation: A person may become distant and seem disconnected from the situation, they may begin talking about something apparently random and not connected to the situation.