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In the article The Death of a Parent Affects Even Grown Children Psychologically and Physically, published in Fatherly, Krisch explains how parental loss affects adults. Although people are aware that they are likely to outlive their parents, this knowledge does not make the death of a parent easier to process or manage. The loss of a parent has physical and biological changes on their children, which could be fatal if not properly addressed.
Some of the physical changes that grief may bring include conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and cancer. Grief triggers a fight-or-flight response in the body, and when this persists too long, it negatively impacts the body (Krisch). Eventually, this emotion affects the body on a cellular level and can result in permanent genetic changes. Psychologically, the bereaved experiences a range of emotions, including anxiety, rage, resentment, guilt, remorse, and numbness. Unresolved emotions could elicit PTSD, major depressive disorder, or even suicide (Krisch). It is difficult to predict how an individual will react after parental loss. While some people distract themselves with work, others become withdrawn from all activities.
The impact of the loss varies depending on several factors. Adult children are more likely to be adversely affected by the death of their parents if the death is sudden. For instance, parental loss following a short illness or an accident is difficult to process. On the other hand, sometimes the death of a person is expected, and their loved ones have enough times to bid them goodbye. For example, if an individual is old or has been chronically ill for a long period, their adult children are better prepared for the possibility of their death (Krisch). Another factor that determines the severity of the loss is the relationship between the deceased parent and the child. Research shows that adult children who have a strained relationship with their parents may feel a double sense of loss from the death of a parent (Krisch). This is because they also have to contend with the fact that they will never reconcile with their parent. Nevertheless, grief varies from person to person, and each individual experiences it in their own manner.
It is essential to find healthy ways to navigate parental loss. Since the death of a parent is sometimes accompanied by feelings such as low self-worth and self-condemnation, therapy is recommended. Aside from talking to a professional about their loss, individuals may also benefit from talking about it with their partners. Spouses are advised to simply listen to their grieving partners rather than trying to devise solutions to the perceived challenges (Krisch). When an individual process their emotions and seeks meaningful ways to cope with the loss, the passage of time will help alleviate their pain.
I lost both of my parents within a short interval of time. One died unexpectedly, while the other after a long illness. I had barely grieved the first loss when the other happened. It was a difficult time in my life, and it took incredible strength to survive it. I managed with the help of relatives and friends who supported my family through it. I found that talking about it became easier with time. However, losing a parent does not get any easier because I still think about them every day. I believe parental loss is painful at any age, and as an adult, it leaves a person feeling vulnerable.
Work Cited
Krisch, Joshua. The Death of a Parent Affects Even Grown Children Psychologically and Physically. Fatherly, Web.
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