Losing your mom will completely wreck you. It is one of the most difficult things that anyone could ever endure.
Put simply, losing your mom is a traumatic experience. Regardless of whether it is sudden, or even if you have time to ‘prepare’ nothing could ever prepare you for this event. Even if your relationship with your mother is on shaky ground, nothing will shake your world the way losing your mother will.
The grief of losing a mother is a special kind of grief. It is unlike anything else because it will turn your entire world upside down. According to Psychology Today, “The known becomes the unknown, the predictable becomes uncertain, and warring emotions compete, starting immediately with the shock that someone integral to your presence can be suddenly just gone.”
Daughters seem to have an even harder time coping, based on a 2007 study that found a more negative impact on daughters versus sons. According to the study, women who lose their mothers are far more likely to binge drink, have a massive decline in self-esteem, and have a lower level of personal mastery.
Additionally, the grief of a parent is something that is unique, because the grieving process is far more intense and far more difficult, according to a 2015 study.
At the end of the day, we are a part of our parents, most especially our mothers. Once upon a time, we were tethered to our mother, snuggled in her womb, and lived off of her body. When you think about it- you are literally a piece of your mother. Following the loss of a mother can leave you with a myriad of mental and emotional struggles, however, it can also impact you on a physical level as well. Studies have shown that the physical effects of grief of losing a part can be followed by immune disorders and cardiac issues.
So, if you are struggling with the grieving process, you are not alone. While you cannot replace your mother, you can find solace again.