Empty Nest Syndrome

“Empty nest syndrome isn’t a clinical diagnosis. Instead,
it’s a phenomenon where 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 4 Tips for Enjoying Your Empty Nest the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s explain is:


Empty Nest Syndrome
“Empty nest syndrome isn’t a clinical diagnosis. Instead, it’s a phenomenon where 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:

“Empty nesters may feel:

  1. Sadness…
  2. Loss…
  3. Depression…
  4. Loneliness
  5. Distress
  6. Worry or anxiety over their child’s wellbeing
  7. A loss of purpose and meaning in life
  8. Increased marital tensions”.3

Menopause

May menopause symptoms impact our mental health?

In Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society note:

“Some of the common physical, memory and thinking symptoms related to menopause (hot flushes, night sweats, sleep and sexual disturbances, weight changes and “brain fog”) can complicate and overlap with mental health symptoms.

Another complicating factor is stress related to life circumstances. Feeling stress is common during middle age as personal and environmental changes take place. This can have a strong effect on mood in some women. Life circumstances that can impact mental health include:

  • Caring for children
  • Caring for elderly parents
  • Career changes
  • Relationship changes
  • Ageing
  • Body changes
  • Illness.

The menopause transition is an ideal time to take stock of all aspects of your health and consider lifestyle and other changes so that you can live the healthiest possible lifestyle”.4

Coping

How can parents cope with empty nest syndrome?

In 4 Tips for Enjoying Your Empty Nest: Advice for the Transition the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Here are a few tips if you’re experiencing feelings of loss due to empty nest syndrome:

  • Accept the timing…
  • Keep in touch…
  • Seek support…
  • Stay positive…”.5

Benefits

What benefits may accompany an empty nest?

In 4 Tips for Enjoying Your Empty Nest: Benefits To Empty Nesters the Mayo Clinic explain:

“As hard as the change may be, having an empty nest can bring benefits to parents. Recent studies suggest that an empty nest might reduce work and family conflicts. Having an empty nest also gives parents a new opportunity to reconnect with each other, improve the quality of their marriage and rekindle interests with newfound time”.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:

“Therapy with a licensed health care practitioner may be wise if loneliness, depression, or sadness are overwhelming or impeding everyday life”.7

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z 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?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 4 Benefits of Sleep Meditation and How To Do It
  2. 4 Tips for Enjoying Your Empty Nest
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  18. Is Empty Nest Syndrome Real?
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  20. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
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  43. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  44. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Depression
  45. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
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  48. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
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  59. Taking Care of Your Mental Health
  60. The Mental Health Issues That Can Accompany Menopause Often Go Unaddressed
  61. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  62. Top Tips To Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
  63. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  64. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  65. Video Series-2022: Wellness: What Is It?
  66. Video Series-2023
  67. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  68. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
  69. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. 4 Tips for Enjoying Your Empty Nest. 19 September 2022. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/4-tips-for-enjoying-your-empty-nest/ Accessed: 26 September 2023
  2. 4 Tips for Enjoying Your Empty Nest. 19 September 2022. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/4-tips-for-enjoying-your-empty-nest/ Accessed: 26 September 2023
  3. Empty Nest Syndrome: Symptoms. Last Updated: 26 February 2019. Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/conditions/empty-nest-syndrome Accessed: 26 September 2023
  4. Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. Content Updated February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 26 September 2023
  5. 4 Tips for Enjoying Your Empty Nest: Advice for the Transition. 19 September 2022. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/4-tips-for-enjoying-your-empty-nest/ Accessed: 26 September 2023
  6. 4 Tips for Enjoying Your Empty Nest: Benefits To Empty Nesters. 19 September 2022. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/4-tips-for-enjoying-your-empty-nest/ Accessed: 26 September 2023
  7. Empty Nest Syndrome: Treatment. Last Updated: 26 February 2019. Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/conditions/empty-nest-syndrome Accessed: 26 September 2023
Topic Last Updated: 26 September 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 September 2023

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