The empty nest syndrome is characterized by excessive suffering associated with the loss of the role of the parents' function, the departure of the children from home, when they go to school, when they marry or go to live alone.
This syndrome seems to be linked to culture, that is, in cultures where people, especially women, are exclusively dedicated to raising children, leaving their home causes more suffering and loneliness in relation to cultures where women work and have other activities in your life.
People in the period when children leave home often face other changes in their life cycle, such as retirement or early menopause in women, which can aggravate feelings of depression and low self-esteem.
What are the signs and symptoms
Parents who suffer from empty nest syndrome usually present symptoms of dependence, suffering and sadness, associated with depressive symptoms, loss of role of caregivers, especially in women who dedicate their lives exclusively to child rearing. very difficult for them to see them go. Learn how to differentiate sadness from depression.
Some studies argue that mothers suffer more than parents when their children leave home because they are more devoted to them, having their self-esteem lowered because they feel they are no longer useful.
What to do
The stage where children leave the house can be very difficult for some people, however, there are some ways to deal with the situation:
1. Accept the moment
One must accept the departure of the children from home without comparing this phase, with the stage itself when they left their parents. Instead, parents should help the child in this time of change, so that he can succeed in this new phase.
2. Maintain contact
Although the children no longer live at home, this does not mean that they do not continue to attend the parents' house. Parents can stay close to their children even if they live apart, making visits, making phone calls, or combining walks together.
3. Seek help
If parents find it difficult to overcome this phase, they should seek help and support from family and friends. People with this syndrome may even need treatment and for this they should seek a doctor or a therapist.
4. Practice activities
Generally, during the period when the children live at home, parents lose quality of life a little, because they give up doing some activities they like, have less quality time as a couple and even time for themselves.
So with extra time and more energy, you can spend more time in the conjugate or even perform an activity that has been postponed, such as going to the gym, learning painting or playing a musical instrument, for example.
