Problems That Arise Due to Divorce
Regardless of the reason behind a marriage breakdown, there are common problems that face adults after divorce. When you find yourself without the practical assistance and emotional support of a partner, life can seem challenging. Dealing with these issues while managing the divorce process often requires a little outside help. How well you deal with these issues can also affect others in your life, particularly your children.
Other People Are Reading
-
The Children's Reaction
-
A child's reaction to his parent's divorce is a combination of the situation he has seen firsthand and his age, maturity and temperament. More importantly it is a result of how the parents handle the split within earshot and eyeshot of the child. Failing to talk openly and honestly about the breakup with your child can lead her to draw her own conclusions. This can ultimately leave her with feelings of stress, anxiety and fear. Children also benefit from realistic talks about how daily life will change. For example, not knowing who will pick them up from school each day can cause them unnecessary sadness or anxiety.
Avoiding Isolation
-
Often divorce can bring on many feelings of isolation. Friends you made throughout your marriage may feel they have to choose sides and it can lead to a dramatic change in your social circle. While it is important to reach out to people, it is essential they are the right people. People who genuinely care about you, who take time to listen and not judge and who are generally positive are important following a divorce. If you need time to build confidence to speak openly with friends or family then a professional counselor or therapist can often provide the reassurance you will need.
-
The Deep Depression
-
Compared with couples, those who divorce have a higher instance of dealing with depression. A study from the National Population Health Survey (Canada) in 2007 published in Life Site News found that 12 percent of people who divorced suffered some form of depression in the following two years. Men are more at risk of experiencing depression following a divorce.
Grief
-
Grief is an inevitable part of the divorce process in some degree. Whether the split was amicable or not, you will notice a lack of financial or emotional support, companionship, hopes and dreams, future plans and shared experiences. Ignoring the grief can only make it hard to deal with eventually. Confronting these feelings and talking about them with a friend or professional can make you feel more supported again. When dealing with grief following divorce, it is important to be careful not to get stuck dwelling on the negative emotions of grief; acknowledge the feelings and focus on moving on.
-
References
- Photo Credit Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images
