EMOTIONAL WOUND THESAURUS

EXPERIENCING THE DEATH OF A PARENT AS A CHILD OR YOUTH



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HELPFUL TIP:

Emotional wounds will steer a character's behavior, corrupt his worldview, and cause negative traits to form. To understand exactly how this occurs, please read our tutorial for the Wound Thesaurus.

NOTE: We realize that sometimes a wound we profile may have personal meaning, stirring up the past for some of our readers. It is not our intent to create emotional turmoil. Please know that we research each wounding topic carefully to treat it with the utmost respect.
NOTES:
A parent dying—from an illness, accident, or another cause—is especially difficult when one is a child or young adult. In this case, a parental death leaves a huge void. The potency of this wound may be especially difficult if violence was involved, if the death was unexpected, or the relationship was strained. The dynamic between the child and the remaining parent (if there was one) and the quality of care given would also effect the depth of the scar caused by this event.

WOUND CATEGORY:
Specific Childhood Wounds, Traumatic Events, Abandonment

BASIC NEEDS OFTEN COMPROMISED BY THIS WOUND:
physiological needs, safety and security, love and belonging

LIES THAT MAY DEVELOP FOR CHARACTERS WITH THIS WOUND:
They will never have a relationship as good as the one they lost
They won't be a good mother (or father) because they had no role model to show them how
If they're too busy to think, they won't have to feel
They're a burden to the people around them
People don't want to hear about your pain so it's best to just shut up about it
People die when you need them most
It's better to hold back than love someone completely
Nothing is certain, so you shouldn't worry about the future

THE CHARACTER MAY FEAR:
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POSSIBLE RESPONSES AND RESULTS:
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POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES THAT MAY RESULT:
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NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT MAY RESULT:
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TRIGGERS THAT MIGHT AGGRAVATE THIS WOUND:
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STEPS TOWARD HEALING:
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OPPORTUNITIES TO FACE OR OVERCOME THIS WOUND:
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