Divorce and Mental Health

Understanding the Impact of the Process

Divorce is one of the most difficult processes a person could go through in their lifetime. The marriage that they thought was meant to last forever is gradually coming to an end, and this can bring about many emotions that can have an impact on one’s mental health. Before beginning the divorce process, it is important to understand how your mental health may be impacted by divorce.

Emotions

You will feel many different emotions at various points throughout your divorce, and these feelings often come in waves and can be very overwhelming at times. You may think about where your marriage started to take a negative turn and feel sad at one moment, and the next moment you may be angry at your spouse for their actions throughout your marriage that contributed to its breakdown.

When left unchecked, these emotions can overwhelm you and impact how you think. You may struggle to think clearly about a situation in your divorce and may make a decision based on your feelings, which can lead to a less than desirable outcome.

Depression

There may come a moment during your divorce where you feel so overwhelmed with sadness over your marriage breaking down that it becomes difficult to enjoy everyday activities that once brought you happiness. You may feel as if you would rather stay in bed than spend time with friends or engage in one of your favorite activities. This is a symptom of depression, and suffering from this condition can feel devastating and overwhelming.

Seeking Help

Going through a divorce is difficult, and you will feel various feelings as you work through the stages of grief. Know, however, that while it may take time, healing is possible. It’s important to go into divorce understanding how you may be impacted and have a plan for dealing with difficult moments throughout the process. When you feel that it is getting to a point where you cannot work through your mental health on your own, know that help is available.