Mourning a Maternal Loss: Strategies for Daughters to Cope with their Grief
Losing a mother is one of life's most challenging experiences. It's a journey filled with emotions, and it's essential to understand that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. This article aims to provide insights and resources to help those going through this difficult time.
If you find that your grief persists for more than a year or if you're struggling with daily tasks, seeking help from a mental health professional may be beneficial. Local support groups, online chat forums, and mental health specialists can provide assistance during this challenging period. The American Psychological Association's Psychologist Locator can help find a professional who specializes in grief recovery.
Remembering a mother's life and her contributions can take various forms. Donating to her favourite charity, achieving a goal she always wanted, or keeping up with traditions from your mother or starting your own can provide comfort. Focusing on happy reminders such as pictures, books, or keepsakes can help manage painful memories related to the loss.
Grief can impact our physical health too. Studies have linked the loss of a mother to increased chances of cancer, cardiac issues, immune disorders, and high blood pressure. It's crucial to prioritize self-care during this time.
Mindfulness, the ability to focus on the moment and not follow thoughts down an emotional path, can be a helpful tool in managing painful memories. Offering maternal support to others who have experienced parental loss can also become an important part of their journey with grief.
Research suggests that women may experience more intense grief and have more difficulty adjusting to the loss of a parent. Daughters, in particular, may struggle more with identity and emotional stability, influencing their personal growth and increasing risks of substance abuse. Sons may show different behavioural responses, but less is explicitly detailed about them in the sources.
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. If the grief becomes overwhelming, resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or Befrienders Worldwide are available to provide immediate help.
Books such as "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 additional assistance during the grieving process. Remember, it's okay to seek help, and it's okay to take time to heal.
Maternal figures can come in various forms, and providing support from them can help retain feelings of guidance and understanding after losing a mother. Honouring a mother's memory in the ways that resonate with you is an essential part of the healing process.
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