Mourning the Demise of a Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Cope Effectively
Losing a mother is a profound and life-altering experience. A 2015 study reveals that women may experience a more intense grief response and find it harder to adjust to the loss compared to men. This guide aims to provide support and resources for those navigating this challenging journey.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) acknowledges an array of normal emotions in the year following parental loss, such as regret, remorse, anxiety, guilt, emptiness, rage, anger, sadness, and numbness. While these feelings are common, grief that impairs your daily functioning or persists for longer than a year may require the support of a mental health professional.
The American Psychological Association's Psychologist Locator can assist in finding a professional who specializes in grief recovery. Local support groups, online chat forums, and mental health professionals are available resources for those dealing with the loss of a mother. If feelings of grief become unbearable, resources such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, and Befrienders Worldwide are available to offer immediate help.
Daughters who lose their mothers may experience grief differently than sons, potentially leading to feelings of cultural and tradition losses, and a lack of maternal guidance. Keeping up with traditions from your mother, such as making recipes she used to cook or using the same fragrances she used in her home, may help ease the burden of loss. Starting your own traditions may help you find comfort knowing your children will have both yours and your mother's traditions to carry on with them.
Honoring a mother's memory can take various forms, such as donating to her favourite charity, achieving personal goals, or participating in activities she enjoyed. Focusing on happy reminders such as pictures, books, or keepsakes can provide comfort during the grieving process.
Mindfulness, the ability to focus on the moment and not follow thoughts down an emotional path, can help manage painful memories related to the loss of a mother. Professional support for women grieving the loss of their mother often includes individualized grief counseling or coaching (in-person or online), nature-based healing approaches like guided walks or breathing exercises, and grief retreats or workshops for deeper work and regeneration.
While men can access similar professional grief support, there are no specific distinctions in the cited sources indicating different approaches based on gender; however, grief experiences and needs may differ individually, so tailored, sensitive support is emphasized universally.
Research shows that the loss of a mother can have more negative effects on daughters than on sons, leading to increased chances of depression, compromised sense of self, and a higher likelihood of binge drinking, lower self-esteem, and lower personal mastery (personal growth).
Offering support to others who have experienced parental loss can provide a sense of purpose and help in one's own journey with grief. By reaching out, you not only help others but also find solace in your shared experiences.
In conclusion, the loss of a mother is a complex and emotional experience. However, with the right support and resources, it is possible to navigate this journey and find a path to healing.
Read also:
- Trump's SNAP reductions and New York City Council's grocery delivery legislation: Problems for city residents highlighted
- Reducing dental expenses for elderlies in Sweden: Over 50% cut in charges for pensioners by the government
- Forty-year-old diet: A list of meal choices to savor
- Exiled Life's Conundrum: A Blend of Liberation, Disillusionment, and Distress
