Recent Stories
Editor’s Note: the following comments come from two Ask Dr. Neimeyer Q&As: After sudden death of a husband; finding meaning in life My Husband Died: How can I live without him? LT: I wish I could help everyone because that is my nature. But I am feeling the same after losing my husband […]
Continue ReadingDear. Dr. Neimeyer, Do you think that because I found my dad’s body a few hours after a normal visit that could be a reason I’m having such a difficult time now with his death? Today is five months and I can’t stop crying. I lost my dad on Father’s Day and it was so unexpected. […]
Continue Reading[Editors Note: I was reminded of this Q&A when three members of a family died in my community from COVID-19, a mother, father, and daughter. Many are facing multiple familial losses now, and it is likely to get worse.] Dear Dr. Neimeyer, The grief journey never goes away. I lost my dad when I was […]
Continue ReadingEditor’s note: we are reprinting this post in honor of all who have served their country, veterans and those currently serving. Dear Dr. Neimeyer, My partner committed suicide in front of me last February. He asked me to hold his hand. I always promised I’d be there for him, regardless. But this was something I […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer I have read and appreciate your work about meaning reconstruction in loss. I have a friend whose grief is so complicated and consuming that she can’t find life for herself (her husband died from cancer about six years ago) and she can’t seem to move forward at all. Here is an excerpt […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, I am a marriage and family therapist with a 55 year old female client who is the only surviving member of her family Her mother died suddenly and unexpectedly last year and she’s given up all her many interests. She is full of anxiety and fear–seems agoraphobic–having panic attacks and hot flashes […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, How do I stop blaming myself for my mother’s death? She was 85 and 18 hours away from heart valve replacement, doing well, ready for it. She was told to walk some before surgery, and her last walk was fatal. I think I could have stopped her from overdoing it, but I […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, I know from you writings and my own experience as a social worker in other settings that people contending with a traumatic loss benefit from having a safe space to slowly and fully tell the story of their loved one’s death, and reflect on its meaning for their lives. This can be […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, My 18-year old son lost his sister (age 10) two years ago, as a result of cancer. He had a very close relationship with her and was and still is devastated as he grieves for his sister. He has so much anger around her death but he won’t ever talk to me about his grief. He […]
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