The Impact Of Divorce On Mental Health

Going through a divorce is a turbulent, emotional time that can have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

From sadness to confusion to anger, people can feel several overwhelming emotions that arise as a result of the divorce process.

While any feelings that arise from divorce are valid, they can have a long-lasting effect on your mental health if they remain unchecked and aren’t worked through.

Divorce can impact your mental health in many ways. Divorce can result in:

1. Anxiety
2. Social isolation & feelings of loneliness 
3. Depression
4. Guilt 
5. Anger

1. Anxiety

As divorce is a situation rife with complications and uncertainty, it can trigger feelings of anxiety.

Divorce can lead to chronic worrying about the future, how one might adjust to changes to their personal circumstances, and what life will look like once divorce proceedings are over.

Anxiety that goes unaddressed can accelerate and cause you to spiral and can lead to numerous disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

This, in turn, can contribute to a decline in your mental health.

2. Social Isolation & Feelings Of Loneliness

Another effect of divorce is that it can cause you to retreat and avoid spending time with the people you care about. 

This can be the result of a person feeling like a burden, causing people to spend more time alone.

That said, social isolation inevitably leads to feelings of loneliness. It’s been reported that 51% of people have increased feelings of loneliness after divorce, emphasising how common this scenario is.

Increased social isolation can also negatively impact your children’s mental health if they feel like they’re not being prioritised in the divorce.

To learn more about how to spot the signs of a mental health condition in children, be sure to read our blog.

3. Depression 

Divorce is a major life event that is associated with immense lows and feelings of sadness.

As such, it’s extremely common for people to be impacted by depression as a result of divorce.

Signs of depression to look out for include, but are not limited to:

• Low energy or fatigue
• Intense feelings of sadness and worthlessness
• Feelings of guilt 
• Changes in eating habits 

Untreated depression can interfere with your daily life, increasing the chance of risky behaviours and reducing your ability to care for your basic health needs.

4. Guilt 

Divorce can result in feelings of guilt, particularly if there are children involved, which can impact your mental health in numerous ways.

Guilt can result in people feeling emotionally spent and can also lead to negative self-talk, which can have a detrimental effect on self-esteem.

Persistent feelings of guilt can thus contribute to feelings of worthlessness and depression, all contributing to poor mental health. 

5. Anger 

Divorce can trigger feelings of anger toward your spouse, yourself, or even the people closest to you.

Although anger is a typical response to grief, ‘uncontrolled anger is bad for your physical and mental health’.

Unresolved anger can manifest itself in many ways and can be linked to conditions that negatively impact your mental health, including anxiety and depression.

In addition to this, it can result in numerous physical conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

How To Prioritise Your Mental Health During Divorce 

As divorce is such an emotional time, it’s crucial to prioritise your mental health during a divorce.

Although your stress levels will naturally be higher during a divorce, there are many things you can do to prioritise your mental health. 

To prioritise your mental health during divorce, you should:

Seek Professional Help 

There’s no shame in seeking professional help when you’re overwhelmed during your divorce.

A counsellor or therapist can give you the necessary tools to help you work through difficult feelings that are making the divorce process feel unmanageable.

No matter your circumstances, your feelings are valid and there is always help available to those that need it.

Find A Reliable Solicitor 

Finding a reliable solicitor can be the difference between a seamless divorce and an unnecessarily stressful one.

It’s normal to feel loss during your divorce, so it is important to get proper help and guidance from experts you can trust. 

Your chosen solicitor should be an expert in family law and be able to handle your case with the utmost level of care and consideration.

At Harding Evans, our divorce solicitors recognise that getting divorced is an emotionally challenging time and demands a great deal of inner strength. 

No matter the circumstances, our experts can help you through the divorce process. Visit our website to book a consultation today.

Prioritise Exercise & Self-Care

Although exercise is great for your physical health, it’s also renowned for its mood-boosting effects and role in decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

As such, you should prioritise exercise when possible to manage your mental health, even if that means simply getting outside for a walk every day.

You should also prioritise self-care to get you through such an emotionally difficult time.

While self-care looks different for everyone, this might include spending time with friends and family or sticking to a regular routine to name a few suggestions. 

How We Can Help

At Harding Evans, our family law specialists can help by advising you throughout the entire divorce process.

As well as being experts in the legal aspects of divorce, our solicitors will also deal with your case with sensitivity and concern to help you through this difficult time. 

Get in touch with a member of our team today.