Coping with the loss of a parent

My mum passed away around 2  months ago now, yes I know it’s still raw and people grieve in different ways but I feel like I am not coping in the slightest. I sleep all day and all night, I have no energy when i am awake, i find it unbelievably hard to open up to people including family, the only person i would talk to was my mum. I just feel like I am going backwards and not forwards can anyone relate to this or got any advise on what to do, I am missing out on so much and I’m only 17. 

  • Hi 

    I lost my mom 7 months ago on rememberance day! She was 59 and I’m 25. She had stage 4 colon cancer & it had spread everywhere, but everyday I held onto that small piece of hope, hoping she would make it through. But unfortunately it got the better of her! 

    I just remember the good times with mom & every time I feel low I hear her voice telling me to stop it, smile and carry on because they wouldn’t want us to be like this!! 

    But I understand how you feel, as days go by things will become that tiny bit easier, at the moment it doesn’t feel that way but it does. Maybe reach out to Samaritans and speak with someone from there they have such good advise! All of what you are experiencing is apart of grief but everyone grieves differently, but just remember she is always with you no matter where you are in life, she will forever be in your memories and your heart xx

  • Hello sweetie - I just read your post. It's so very sad that at 17 you have lost your lovely mum. I do have a bit of advice for you & I'll tell you why. You say you sleep all day & all night & that you have no energy. It sounds to me like you are depressed. I think you should ring your GP surgery & make an appointment & tell your doctor what you feel like. S/he might think it worthwhile to give you a little bit of medication just to help you cope better. You are bound to feel terribly, terribly sad about losing your mum & no amount of tablets will change that but you shouldn't be feeling so tired. 

    I do wish you'd take this advice - I've been depressed myself in the past & I know just how awful it is but you don't have to suffer that way. Your GP will help I'm sure.

    Let us know how you get on please. There are lots of people on this forum who will understand how you feel & talking here, as you have started to do, will help you so keep doing it.

    I'm giving you a virtual enormous hug & hope it comforts you just a little bit 'cause you deserve it. xx

  • Hi butterfl sounds dead right there trouble is when your depressed most cant summon up the energy even to go to the drs might i suggest see a lady dr if you can but you just have to find that energy to go especially if you cant open up to anyone its horrible thing to hold that in and ime sure you dont want to be in this missery so monday make a double apointment and go .best wishs paul

  • Hey [@Butterfly01]‍ 

    im really sorry your going through this. It’s probably the worst thing you will ever go through in your lifetime and 17 is such a young ago to go through it - I’m 29 and my god - i just couldn’t get my head around how I could be left without a mother at this age - why is life so cruel. You can open up here - no one is judging and everyone wants to help - there is confort in knowing you are not alone and how your feeling isn’t crazy. I totally get the energy thing - my mam died on the 23rd of May and I haven’t went back to work yet - I don’t even know how I am going to cope walking in them doors cause I’m always tired and now I sleep most of the day because I don’t want to face it. These things are all normal - so don’t feel there not. But don’t bottle everything up. Talk about it. I’m here if you need me - just a message away -yesterday was my worst day so far - I shut down my social media and I went totally off the radar. People do crazy things when there hurting. But believe me, ours mams wouldn’t want to see us go through this xx I’m here to talk anytime xx 

  • Dear [@Butterfly01]‍ 

    Firstly, the fact that you've posted on this forum is extremely positive. I certainly believe that having a community of people who can relate to you, and who you can relate to, is a big step forward.

    Secondly, be gentle with yourself. You're doing the best you can.
    My Mum died last year (when I was just turning 22) so I can totally relate to how you're feeling. I felt as if I'd lost my best friend, main confidant and everything else all at once. I tried to be brave and avoided admitting to anyone that I was struggling, but my partner advised that I see a counsellor at University - the grief impacted upon my academic work / my ability to sleep - and just talking to someone (and crying in front of someone) made me feel much better. 

    Opening up to your family, although it might be difficult, might also be helpful - as I'm sure they're feeling the exact same way as you do! I often text my siblings and just say 'I'm finding it hard today', and then we end up sharing pictures of my Mum or reminiscing about silly things.

    Remember that you will feel better. If you need to cry, cry. If you need to talk to someone, don't isolate yourself - there are so many people who love you, and who are there to talk if ever you need them. 

    XX