Mourning the Departure of a Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Cope Effectively
Losing a mother can be a profoundly challenging experience, and it's essential to know that you're not alone. This article aims to provide helpful resources and insights for those coping with such a loss.
Local support groups, online chat forums, and mental health professionals can serve as valuable resources during this difficult time. If your grief persists for more than a year or interferes with your daily tasks, it may be helpful to seek the assistance of a mental health professional.
Grief can lead to increased chances of cancer, cardiac issues, immune disorders, and high blood pressure, according to a study. It's crucial to prioritise self-care and seek medical advice if you experience any concerning physical symptoms.
Daughters who lose their mother may experience grief differently than sons, potentially leading to feelings of loss and disconnection from those closest to them. Women who experience the loss of a mother are more likely than men to binge drink, have a greater decline in self-esteem, and have a lower level of personal mastery (personal growth).
Maternal figures can come in various forms, and finding another source of maternal support can help during the grieving process. This could be a friend, family member, or even a mentor.
Keeping up with traditions from your mother or starting your own traditions can help ease the burden of loss. Focusing on happy reminders such as pictures, books, or keepsakes can provide comfort during the grieving process.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) lists normal emotions in the year following parental loss, such as regret, remorse, anxiety, guilt, emptiness, rage, anger, sadness, and numbness. It's important to remember that these feelings are common and are part of the healing process.
If the grief of losing a mother becomes unbearable, immediate help is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States, Crisis Text Line, or Befrienders Worldwide.
Mindfulness, the ability to focus on the moment and not follow thoughts down an emotional path, can help when recalling painful memories related to the loss of a mother. Offering maternal support to others who have experienced parental loss can provide a sense of purpose during the grieving process.
Parental loss is linked with depression and a compromised sense of self in young adults, according to a 2021 study. Grief that impairs 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 help find a mental health professional specializing in grief recovery.
In Germany, specific support groups and counseling services for women who have lost their mother include specialized grief counseling centres, women's counseling centres (Frauenberatungsstellen), and bereavement support groups often organized by social or psychological health institutions. Recommended books for coping with such loss include "Mutter, wo bist du?" by Annette Herzog and "Der Tod meiner Mutter" by Anke Stelling, which help in processing grief and loss emotionally.
Honoring a mother's memory can take various forms, such as donating to her favourite charity or setting and achieving personal goals. This can provide a sense of purpose and help in the healing process.
Remember, it's okay to ask for help and to take the time you need to heal. You are not defined by your loss, but by how you choose to move forward.
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