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How long should the grieving process take after losing a loved one?
I would like some opinions please. After losing a loved one or someone close to you, how long should you grieve for them before you try to move on or continue with life?
I am asking because my mother seems to have a hard time with death. She has lost several people in her life, in 2004 her husband (my dad) and most recently, her brother, (my uncle). It is difficult on my whole family because my uncle died suddenly without warning and it took a few days to find him. :| It's a long story but my mom had a major meltdown at the family gathering, and I just sat there watching, feeling bad. My other uncle says she has a problem with death, and even after my dad died almost 10 years ago she still loves him very much and thinks of him everyday, it is tough for her.
But how long do you think should take for the process or grieving? Do you think my mom needs further help...I mean she seems to be in a major rut, especially now because of her brother's sudden death as well.
Thank you to anyone who helps me on this.
*process of grieving
8 Answers
- SweetGirlLv 48 years agoFavorite Answer
usually it lasts a few months, maybe a span of six months but a year would be a bit longer. but it also depends upon age, She is old and has already gone through enough so for her it depends how she takes it. maybe she is accumulating it in her mind. this can set off a chain reaction where one thought links to another and the person keeps repeating the past events in his mind which keep triggering the emotional responses each time.This is exactly what is happening with her, She is not able to get over it because she is re-enacting it in her mind. this can lead to depression and serious health problems. give her time and watch out how she reacts. if she is not ready to forget and move on, then you need to consult a doctor to get her out .Chances are that she might already be in depression because people with depression break down easily. so be careful
- ?Lv 45 years ago
Sad to hear. There is no time on the grieving. After I had to put one in every of my puppies to sleep I certainly took every week off from work on the grounds that I cried quite a bit. This used to be about three years in the past and i an still considering of her however it's a comfortable memory. I did not get a new dog even though my last dog does not like being a single canine and loves enjoying with my partners two puppies. You're going to comprehend if you end up competent to get a different dog so that they can carry pleasure into your life once more. Simplest you could make a decision. My thoughts are with you right now it is on no account convenient to free a loved one.
- KathyLv 58 years ago
Everyone is different. You state your uncle recently died. Grieving takes atleast a year on average, but can last longer. Each memory milestone...Birthday, anniversary of the death,Christmas and other Holidays,also causes more emotional tears with grieving. It is normal for your Mom to miss your Dad, and think of him every day. My Dad died, 6 years ago, and I think of him everyday,,,that is normal. Your Mom may need some counseling to help her with her grieving. By the way, it is actually healing to talk about the loved one that has died. It helps with closure.Encourage your Mom to try counseling, atleast for 2 or 3 times.
- angrygumballllLv 68 years ago
It's hard to say, everyone grieves so differently that it's hard to even give an average. But it does sound like your mom might be having an especially hard time. Grief support groups can be really helpful, do you think you could suggest it to her? Even something online if she's internet-savvy.
I think when someone very close dies really suddenly like your uncle it can be especially tricky to deal with. I hope your mom comes through all this with either a group or individual counseling. And I'm very sorry for your losses <3
- Anonymous8 years ago
I mean for different people its a different amount of time. I am no expert on this but maybe 6 months or more. It depends how badly or what she does to grieve, crying maybe for a month or so on or off would be normal but doing that for 6 months no, thinking about them daily for a while, normal. Honestly I don't think people ever really get over a death, the scar fades and its less painful but it never really goes. I think only you really know if she needs help because its your situation, i cant really help. I mean she might be depressed, has she not been her self for months, does it dramatically interfere with her life. A definition of abnormal behaviour is if it inferes with daily functioning. I would suggest talking to her about it yourself, ask her how she really feels, you clearly care so that's good.
Source(s): experience, psychology - 8 years ago
Losing someone so close will take time. My mother lost her father more than a year ago to sudden illness and I still catch her from time to time crying. It takes longer for some than others to grieve. It may take 4 months or it may take years, you know? Everyone deals with it in different ways because everyone is different. Hope this helped.
- ?Lv 78 years ago
The grieving process is different for everyone and there are no time lines for grieving the loss of a loved one. Your mom has been through a lot. It may take her a lifetime to sort through all this. Just be there for her when you can... this journey is her own though. Don't take it on.
- RWPossumLv 78 years ago
I heard a psychiatrist interviewed on this subject. He said traditionally in his profession, grief and depression have been thought to be separate things. But he said that some disagree, think that when a depression lasts too long after the loved one's death, it should be treated like any depression, I don't recall the time, but I seem to remember a few weeks, not very long.