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

Mourning the Demise of a Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Overcome

Mourning a Dear Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Cope Effectively
Mourning a Dear Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Cope Effectively

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

Losing a mother is a profound experience that can bring about a whirlwind of emotions. A study has linked parental loss to increased chances of cancer, cardiac issues, immune disorders, and high blood pressure, emphasizing the importance of addressing the emotional and physical aspects of grief.

Grief can mean a loss of an important part of your support system. In such times, offering support to others who have experienced parental loss can be a way to provide comfort and become an important part of someone's grief journey.

Local support groups, online chat forums, and mental health professionals can offer assistance during the grieving process. The American Psychological Association's Psychologist Locator can help find a grief recovery specialist. For immediate support, resources such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, or Befrienders Worldwide are available.

Maternal support can come from various figures in one's life, not just biologically related individuals. In Germany, innovative grief therapy providers include Mymoria, Wer du warst, and GriefTech TrostHelden. These organizations reflect key contributors in the field, although a widely publicized list of individual leading psychotherapists specifically known nationally for grief therapy may not exist.

If feelings of grief become unbearable or impair your daily functioning, or persist for longer than a year, seeking the help of a mental health professional may be beneficial. A 2021 study linked parental loss with depression and a compromised sense of self in young adults.

Daughters who lose their mothers may experience unique forms of grief compared to sons, including cultural and tradition losses and a lack of maternal guidance. Women have been found to have a more intense grief response and more difficulty adjusting to the loss of a parent. 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).

Honoring a mother's memory can take many forms, such as donating to her favourite charity or achieving goals she wanted for you. Focusing on happy reminders such as pictures, books, or keepsakes can provide comfort during the grieving process.

Books like "Healing After the Loss of Your Mother", "Motherless Daughters", and "How to Survive the Loss of a Parent" can provide guidance and comfort during the grieving process. Practicing mindfulness can help manage painful memories related to the loss of a mother.

Keeping up with traditions or starting new ones can help ease the burden of loss. Remember, grief is a personal journey, and everyone's experience is unique. It's okay to seek help and support when you need it.

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