Mourning a Departed Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Cope with Tragedy
In the aftermath of losing a mother, many individuals may face unique challenges that can impact their emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. A study published in 2015 revealed that women tend to experience a more intense grief response and find it more difficult to adjust to the loss of a parent compared to men.
Women who have lost their mothers may be more likely to engage in binge drinking, experience a greater decline in self-esteem, and have a lower level of personal mastery. These findings underscore the importance of seeking support during this difficult time.
Grief is a complex emotion that can manifest in various ways. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.), normal emotions in the year following parental loss may include regret, remorse, anxiety, guilt, emptiness, rage, anger, sadness, and numbness.
Local support groups, online chat forums, and mental health professionals can provide assistance during the grieving process. The American Psychological Association's Psychologist Locator can help find a professional specialized in grief recovery. If grief becomes unbearable, immediate help is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or Befrienders Worldwide.
Honouring a mother's memory can take various forms, such as donating to her favourite charity or achieving a personal goal she wished for. Keeping up with traditions and starting new ones can help ease the burden of loss. Focusing on happy memories, such as pictures, books, or keepsakes, can provide comfort during this difficult time.
Relationships within your family may become strained after the loss of a mother. It is essential to communicate openly and seek understanding during this challenging period. Loss of a mother can mean losing an important part of your support system, feeling regret for lost family traditions and cultural knowledge, and questioning your role as a mother.
Daughters who lose their mothers may experience grief differently than sons, with potential cultural and tradition losses and a lack of maternal guidance. In Germany, important psychiatric specialists for grief treatment after the loss of a mother typically include psychological psychotherapists specialized in trauma and grief therapy, such as those working in trauma ambulances or psychiatric clinics like the Traumaambulanz Mainz or the Bezirksklinik Rehau, which offer comprehensive psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care and support for trauma and loss.
Books like "Healing After the Loss of Your Mother", "Motherless Daughters", and "How to Survive the Loss of a Parent" can provide guidance during the grieving process. Offering support to others who have experienced parental loss can be a way to provide help and become an important part of their grief journey.
If extreme grief persists for more than a year or interferes with daily tasks, speaking with a mental health professional may be helpful. Mindfulness, the ability to focus on the moment, can help manage painful memories related to the loss of a mother. In some cases, grief that impairs daily functioning or persists for longer than a year may require the support of a mental health professional.
