Recent Stories
What is the Meaning of Life? is re-published in remembrance of 9/11 Dear Dr. Neimeyer, I have just one question, but it is a big one. In your opinion, what is the meaning of life?–Nicolae Dear Nicolae, I’m a practicing psychologist who works alongside people who are struggling with deeply unwelcome changes in their lives–the […]
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, I lost my son five years ago to a drug overdose. l battled with him for several years trying to break his addiction. He died right before his 28 birthday. I feel like I lost everything when I lost him. He was my baby. I have three other children and numerous grandchildren, but the kids say I’m […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, My son was stabbed this Spring and lost his life two days later, and they let the guy walk free. I continue fighting for justice for my son, but I am so lost without him. I am literally going crazy. I can’t sleep, I don’t eat properly, and I have lost 25 […]
Continue ReadingMy teenage son was electrocuted at home accidentally almost 20 years ago. My counselor is not happy with my saying he was killed. I know the difference because about three decades ago, another toddler son died from a cerebral aneurysm , so in my eyes one died and one was killed and to me there […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, My daughter was murdered a year ago. She was upset with me before it happened. I saw her the morning it happened, and we only waved at each other. Later, I saw her body lying on the floor in her house and I can’t get that image out of my head. I […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, My husband died two years ago. I also lost my home of more than a quarter century. and had to file for bankruptcy due to his passing. I have no idea how to get over this and live again. I cry every day. People are tired of my grief and stay away. Please help […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, Is the best and probably only way to get through complicated grief through the use of antidepressants? Thanks. Demi Dear Demi, Both clinical experience and clinical research suggest that antidepressant medication is a mixed blessing in the context of bereavement, for several reasons. In fact, for many years psychiatrists agreed that […]
Continue ReadingHi Dr. Neimeyer, My husband died unexpectedly five years ago at the age of 54. We were together for 33 years. He dropped dead in front of me with no warning. They said that he was gone before he hit the floor. We had a very good marriage and I am thankful for the time […]
Continue ReadingDear Dr. Neimeyer, Thirteen years ago I experienced a seizure while driving. My mother was killed in the accident. I had an extremely close relationship with my mother. I continue to feel guilty and struggle to make sense of this tragedy. Phil Dear Phil, Your tragic story, summarized vividly in so few words, conveys the catastrophic […]
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