Mourning a Mother's Demise: Strategies Daughters Can Employ for Healing

Mourning the Demise of a Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Cope Effectively

In the face of losing a mother, everyone's journey through grief is unique. This emotional experience can impact daily life and persist for an extended period, sometimes even beyond a year. If this is the case, seeking support from a mental health professional may be beneficial.

The Grief Recovery Institute, an organisation based in the United States, offers programs and professionals, including psychologists, to aid in the recovery process. In 2021, it was active in the U.S. context, providing resources for those dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Grief has been linked to increased chances of various health issues, such as cancer, cardiac problems, immune disorders, and high blood pressure, according to a study. It's essential to prioritise self-care during this challenging time.

Maternal support can come from various figures in one's life, not just blood relatives. Focusing on happy reminders such as pictures, books, or keepsakes can provide comfort during the grieving process.

Women who experience the loss of a mother may face unique challenges, including cultural and tradition losses, and a lack of maternal guidance. They are also more likely than men to binge drink, have a greater decline in self-esteem, and have a lower level of personal mastery (personal growth), according to a study.

A 2015 study found that, when losing a parent, women have a more intense grief response and more difficulty adjusting to the loss. However, it's important to remember that everyone's experience is different.

Mindfulness, the ability to focus on the moment and not follow thoughts down an emotional path, can help in dealing with painful memories related to the loss of a mother.

Losing your mother can mean feeling like you've lost an important part of your support system. Parental loss has been linked with depression and a compromised sense of self in young adults, according to a 2021 study.

You may experience regret for lost family traditions and cultural knowledge after losing your mother. Honoring a mother's memory can take various forms, such as donating to her favourite charity or achieving goals she aspired for.

If the grief becomes unbearable and one considers self-harm or suicide, help is available right now through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or Befrienders Worldwide. If extreme grief persists for more than a year or one has trouble completing daily tasks, speaking with a mental health professional may be helpful.

Local support groups, online chat forums, and mental health professionals can offer assistance during the grieving process. Offering maternal support to others who have experienced parental loss can be a meaningful part of one's own grief journey.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) lists a variety of normal emotions in the year following parental loss, including regret, remorse, anxiety, guilt, emptiness, rage, anger, sadness, and numbness. It's important to remember that these feelings are a natural part of the grieving process and will pass with time and support.