Empty Nest Syndrome

“…empty nest syndrome is a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home”.1

Umbrella
What may the Empty Nest Syndrome Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Empty Nest Syndrome
  • Midlife Empty Nest Syndrome

Definition

What is empty nest syndrome?

Depending on the Source (DotS) the definition of empty nest syndrome may vary. In Empty Nest Syndrome: What’s Empty Nest Syndrome the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s explain is:

“Empty nest syndrome isn’t a clinical diagnosis. Instead, empty nest syndrome is a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home”.2

Symptoms

What may be symptoms of empty nest syndrome?

In Empty Nest Syndrome: Symptoms the (United States) Psychology Today explain:

“The individual may feel:

  1. Sadness…
  2. Loss…
  3. Depression…
  4. Loneliness
  5. Distress
  6. A loss of purpose and meaning in life”.3

Coping

How can parents cope with empty nest syndrome?

In How You Can Enjoy the Empty Nest the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

Empty Nest Syndrome

  • “Accept the timing…
  • Keep in touch…
  • Seek support…
  • Stay positive…”.4

In Empty Nest Syndrome: Treatment Psychology Today elaborate on:

“For many, coping with an empty nest is mitigated by remaining in contact with the child. A parent can keep in touch with their child via weekly text, email, or phone calls. In times of stress and loneliness, reaching out for social support can also be helpful. In addition, diligent self-care—in the form of a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, exercise, and downtime—is recommended”.5

Challenges

What challenges may accompany empty nest syndrome?

In Empty Nest Season Has Arrived: Challenges of the Empty Nest the author elaborates on:

“A big challenge of the empty nest is that it is often accompanied by other transitions that aren’t necessarily welcome or easy to manage. Caregiving for older adult relatives may now be needed. Job transitions may be upcoming – either stepping down at work, retiring, or beginning a new job hunt now that the “kids are grown””.6

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have empty nest syndrome?

If you think you have empty nest syndrome, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

In Empty Nest Syndrome: Treatment Psychology Today elaborate on:

“Treatment with a health-care practitioner may be recommended if loneliness, depression, and sadness are in any way overwhelming the individual. Psychotherapy is beneficial when managing the symptoms. A health professional may even recommend prescription medications”.7

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Empty Nest Syndrome?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Empty Nest Syndrome?

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Links

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  1. Anxiety
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  3. Empty Nest Season Has Arrived
  4. Empty Nest Syndrome
  5. Empty Nest Syndrome: How Can I Cope With Empty Nest Syndrome?
  6. Empty Nesters
  7. Home Remedies: Anxiety and Herbal Remedies
  8. How Right Now How Right Now
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  10. How You Can Enjoy the Empty Nest
  11. Is Empty Nest Syndrome Real?
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  19. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Anxiety At A Glance
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  21. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  22. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Mind and Body Practices
  23. One Hour Per Week of Exercise Protects Against Depression, Study Shows
  24. Resilience Training
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  26. Self-Care and Kindness: Finding A Solution To the Trigger of Our Anxiety
  27. Self-Esteem Check: Too Low, Too High or Just Right?
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  34. Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Cognition and Mood Changes
  35. Video Series-2021 – How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  36. Women’s Health Week [6 – 10 September 2021, Australia] Empty Nest Syndrome

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Empty Nest Syndrome: What’s Empty Nest Syndrome? 14 April 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/empty-nest-syndrome/art-20047165 Accessed: 09 August 2021
  2. Empty Nest Syndrome: What’s Empty Nest Syndrome? 14 April 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/empty-nest-syndrome/art-20047165 Accessed: 09 August 2021
  3. Empty Nest Syndrome: Symptoms. Last Updated: 26 February 2019. Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/conditions/empty-nest-syndrome Accessed: 09 August 2021
  4. How You Can Enjoy the Empty Nest. 27 September 2017. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-you-can-enjoy-the-empty-nest/ Accessed: 09 August 2021
  5. Empty Nest Syndrome: Treatment. Last Updated: 26 February 2019. Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/conditions/empty-nest-syndrome Accessed: 09 August 2021
  6. Degges-White S. 27 August 2018. Empty Nest Season Has Arrived: Challenges of the Empty Nest https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/lifetime-connections/201808/empty-nest-season-has-arrived Accessed: 09 August 2021
  7. Empty Nest Syndrome: Treatment. Last Updated: 26 February 2019. Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/conditions/empty-nest-syndrome Accessed: 09 August 2021

Topic Last Updated: 09 August 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 09 August 2021
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