Mourning the Demise of a Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Cope
Losing a mother is a profound and life-altering experience. A study from 2015 found that women may experience a more intense grief response and have more difficulty adjusting to the loss of a parent compared to men. This article aims to provide insights and resources to help individuals cope with the grieving process.
Women who have experienced the loss of a mother may be more likely to binge drink, experience a greater decline in self-esteem, and have a lower level of personal mastery. However, focusing on happy memories, such as pictures, books, or keepsakes, can provide comfort during this difficult time.
Resources such as "Healing After the Loss of Your Mother: A Grief & Comfort Manual," "Motherless Daughters: The Legacy of Loss," and "How to Survive the Loss of a Parent: A Guide for Adults" may offer assistance during the grieving process. The most common support offerings in the United States include grief counseling, support groups specifically designed for young people experiencing loss, psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and community or online resources that provide emotional support and coping strategies. These services often come from hospitals, mental health clinics, non-profit organizations, schools, or religious institutions. Digital therapy options like online cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT) have also become more prevalent to help manage anxiety and depression after loss.
Losing a mother can mean feeling like you've lost an important part of your support system. Keeping up with traditions or starting new ones can help ease the burden of loss. Honoring a mother's memory can take various forms, such as donating to her favourite charity or achieving a personal goal she aspired for.
The effects of grief after the loss of a mother can impair daily functioning or persist for longer than a year, and may require the support of a mental health professional. The American Psychological Association's Psychologist Locator can help find a professional specializing in grief recovery.
Grief can be linked to increased chances of cancer, cardiac issues, immune disorders, and high blood pressure. If feelings of overwhelming grief lead to self-harm or suicide, immediate help is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or Befrienders Worldwide.
Mindfulness, the ability to focus on the moment and not follow thoughts down an emotional path, may help manage painful memories related to the loss of a mother. Maternal figures can be found beyond blood relations, and seeking their support can help retain feelings of guidance and understanding.
If extreme grief persists for more than a year or interferes with daily tasks, speaking with a mental health professional may be beneficial. Offering maternal support to others who have experienced parental loss can be an important part of their grief journey.
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