Navigating Mourning a Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Mourn Healthily
Losing a mother is an experience that can leave one feeling lost and disconnected from those closest to them. This sense of loss extends beyond the emotional realm, often impacting one's support system and self-perception.
The grieving process after such a loss can be challenging, but help is available. Local support groups, online chat forums, and mental health professionals can provide assistance during this difficult time. Offering support to others who have experienced parental loss can also become an important part of one's grief journey.
A 2021 study found that parental loss is linked with depression and a compromised sense of self in young adults. The effects of grief after the loss of a mother are different for everyone, and grief that impairs your daily functioning or persists for longer than a year may require the support of a mental health professional.
Women who experience the loss of a mother are more likely than men to have a greater decline in self-esteem. They may also experience unique forms of grief compared to sons. The death of a mother can have more negative effects on daughters than on sons, with women more likely to binge drink and have a lower level of personal mastery (personal growth).
Books like "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 provide assistance during the grieving process. Practicing mindfulness can help acknowledge painful memories without dwelling on them, while focusing on happy reminders such as pictures, books, or keepsakes can provide comfort.
Honoring a mother's memory can take different forms, such as donating to her favourite charity or achieving personal goals. Maternal support can come from various figures in one's life, not just blood relatives.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) notes an array of normal emotions in the year following parental loss, including regret, remorse, anxiety, guilt, emptiness, rage, anger, sadness, and numbness. If extreme grief persists for more than a year or interferes with daily tasks, speaking with a mental health professional may be helpful.
If one is experiencing overwhelming grief and considering self-harm or suicide, help is available immediately via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or Befrienders Worldwide.
It's not uncommon to find yourself wondering how successfully you're fulfilling your own role as a mother after the loss of your own mother. Remember, it's okay to seek help and support during this time. Reach out to those around you, join a support group, or speak to a mental health professional. You are not alone in this journey.
Read also:
- Overweight women undergoing IVF have a 47% higher chance of conceiving naturally post-weight loss
- Bonsai Trees from Evergreen Species: Exploring Growth Characteristics & Distinct Qualities
- What temperatures may make walking your canine companion uncomfortable?
- Title: Information About Beovu: Potency, Form, Usage, and Additional Details
