- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
it's a decent generalization, but it's not a cosmic rule. People will skip steps or blitz through them, maybe even experience things not in the list.
But it's not a senseless progess, it makes sense.
Typically people first try to pretend the problem doesn't exist, or live like the problem doesn't exist.
When they can't avoid the problem, then they get frustrated and pissed. (They haven't yet accepted that the issue exists.) The emotions take over here. Anger is typically a response to either hurt (actual loss) or fear of loss (psychic pain).
Once they get over being pissed (since being pissed isn't fixing their situation), they start negotiating. This can be direct (if a person is responsible for their loss -- "I'll do this if you do that") or indirect (if the loss is just part of a life situation -- "If I exercise more, maybe my heart condition will go away").
Once negotiations fail (if they do), they realize they have no power. They can't change their fate. This typically leads to depression. The anger over the hurt is directed at self. Futility. Why care? Nothing can be done.
Acceptance is actually a form of self-empowerment, by embracing the situation and deciding to make the most of it.
Again, not all people pass through these steps, not all steps last the same amount of time, and sometimes the situation might not demand that one gets to the end of the process. Someone might even die halfway through the process and never finish the intrapersonal work.
Really, who can say whether it's "accurate"? But it seems to approximate experience enough to be very useful regardless.
Personally I go what the hell, I'd rather six to #6: Death.
Why?
Pretty much to me, that would suggest you have no interest in learning anything by the experience.