Mourning the Demise of a Mother: Strategies for Daughters to Cope Effectively
Losing a mother is a profound experience that can affect individuals in various ways. According to numerous studies, this loss may have a more significant impact on daughters than sons.
Grief, in its many forms, is a common response to such a loss. It can impair daily functioning or persist for longer than a year, requiring the support of a mental health professional. 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.
However, grief is not just about clinical symptoms. It can also mean losing an important part of your support system, feeling regret for lost family traditions and cultural knowledge, and experiencing strained relationships within your family.
Keeping up with traditions from your mother, such as making recipes she used to cook or using the same fragrances she used in her home, may help ease the burden of loss. Starting your own traditions may also provide comfort, knowing your children will have both yours and your mother's traditions to carry on with them.
Mindfulness can help acknowledge painful memories related to the loss of a mother without dwelling on them. Focusing on happy reminders such as pictures, books, or keepsakes may bring comfort during this difficult time.
It's important to remember that everyone's grief journey is unique. If extreme grief persists for more than a year or interferes with daily tasks, seeking help from a mental health professional may be beneficial.
Local support groups, online chat forums, and mental health professionals can provide assistance during the grieving process. Additionally, offering support to others who have experienced parental loss can become an important part of their journey.
Remember, it's okay to ask for help. Help is available right now for those experiencing overwhelming grief or considering self-harm or suicide: Call/text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org, text HOME to Crisis Text Line at 741741, or find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
There are various maternal figures that can provide guidance and understanding, even if not biologically related. Honouring a mother's memory can take different forms, such as donating to her favourite charity or achieving a goal she wanted for you.
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