I lost two of my best friends – but my mum can’t understand my grief

DEAR DEIDRE: LOSING my two closest friends this year has devastated me, but my mum thinks I’m overreacting.

She says as it was only friends, not family, who died, it shouldn’t affect me this much.

I’m a 24-year-old woman and living with my parents, after finishing university.

In the past year, my childhood best friend died of cancer. A few months later, a close male friend from university was killed in a car accident.

I miss them both dreadfully and burst into tears all the time.

I thought I’d be able to share my feelings with my mum, 50, but if I get upset she tuts and changes the subject.

It hurts so much that she’s not there for me.

DEIDRE SAYS: Your mum’s lack of empathy is compounding your grief.

Perhaps she’s never experienced this type of loss or the strength of your emotion makes her uncomfortable. It’s hard when we realise our parents are flawed too.

You do need to talk to someone understanding. My Bereavement support pack tells you where to find grief counselling.