No matter how much you may have desired to end your marriage, life after divorce may be challenging. Even if you are aware of the long-term benefits of your separation, you are still mourning your loss, and divorce healing can be challenging. And it’s acceptable to say that. You truly won’t be able to learn how to deal with divorce and overcome the loss any other way.
It is crucial to first realise that divorce can be very traumatic and harsh on your mental health. The obstacles you’ll probably encounter during the divorce process might seem nearly insurmountable to handle, and divorce-related melancholy is a genuine thing.
The reality is that there are a number of ways you may get by following your divorce. If you discover that you’re suffering from post-divorce depression and you’re having trouble moving on, divorce therapy is a great solution. Continue reading to find out how to get over your own post-divorce sadness.
Life During and After the Divorce
Divorce and life after it might feel daunting. As you cope with a profound loss, have patience with yourself. Any loss causes sadness, which is an emotional struggle that can be difficult to overcome on your own.
You could have self-doubt during your divorce or divorce recovery. You could wonder if your choice is the best one. You could be worried about your financial situation, unsure about whether you’ll ever find love again, considering how to support your child during the divorce, and more.
Even sentiments of guilt or shame are common among those going through a divorce. They frequently believe it was their fault that they couldn’t keep their marriage together. You can discover that you have anger or resentment against your partner.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind while going through a divorce is that all of your sentiments are legitimate. Furthermore, they are all quite typical.
The mental health impact during your divorce
Divorce can impact your mental health in a number of ways. During the process, you may find that you’re:
- More tired than normal
- Unable to sleep
- Experiencing a change in your eating habits— eating too much or not enough
- Prone to be more reactionary
- Angry
- Sad
- Emotional
- Numb
The mental health impact after your divorce
You might anticipate that as soon as your divorce is finalised, your mood would improve. You could anticipate feeling like a tremendous weight has been lifted or that you have a fresh lease on life. However, a lot of people do go through post-divorce depression that is just as difficult as their pre-divorce sadness, if not more so.
Even after your divorce is official, you can discover that you have comparable depressed symptoms (such as trouble sleeping, eating, having intense emotions, etc.). But, it might be difficult to find the motivation to move your body while your mental health is in poor shape. You may want to think about spravato treatment center.
Signs of Divorce Depression
There are many signs of divorce depression to be aware of. It goes beyond just being sad. Depression is a serious medical condition that can have a huge impact on how you think, act, and feel. Symptoms of divorce-related depression can include any, or a combination of, the following:
- Sudden loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
- Loss of appetite
- Increase in appetite
- Weight loss or gain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Excessive irritability
- Rage
- Sudden insomnia
- Increased fatigue
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
- Crying spells (often uncontrollable)
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of pessimism
- Feelings of guilt
- Substance abuse
- Loss of your sense of self-worth
- Thoughts of suicide
- In extreme cases, suicide attempts
The severity of depressive symptoms can range from very minor to very severe. They can also manifest in men and women quite differently. Women, for instance, frequently experience sensations like melancholy, inadequacy, or guilt. Men, on the other hand, could get easily agitated or have trouble falling asleep. Men are also more prone than women to start using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism if they are depressed following a divorce.
You typically need to display five or more symptoms in order to be diagnosed with depression. However, visiting a therapist or other mental health care professional is the best method to receive a diagnosis and assistance. There are several treatment alternatives, including both traditional and online counselling.
15 Tips for Overcoming Divorce Depression
Although it’s very common to experience depression after a divorce, you should take comfort in knowing that there is hope. There are several ways you can focus on overcoming your depression.Some people consider spravato treatment resistant depression.
Get (professional) help if you need it
Yes, it is true that post-divorce melancholy is fairly common. But if it starts to affect how you go about your daily life, it might be time to start considering seeking treatment.
Allow yourself time and space to grieve
Keep in mind that your divorce is a loss, and you are free to mourn it. In order to properly recover from your divorce and move on with your life in a healthy way, give yourself the time you require to go through the emotional stages of your separation.
Don’t beat yourself up if you are feeling depressed
Take care of yourself. Remind yourself that these feelings are typical if you’re experiencing depression, sadness, rage, or overload. Allow yourself to experience your emotions without any sense of shame or guilt.
Get plenty of exercise
Exercise releases endorphins, which have a variety of positive effects, including energising you and helping to calm your mood. The benefits of exercise may even be long-lasting, according to some research, so you may find that you sleep better and feel better overall.
Focus on your health and what you eat
Depression can be alleviated by eating a balanced diet. You’ll start to experience the advantages of consuming nutrient-rich meals like fruits, leafy green vegetables, minimally processed foods, and foods high in omegas fairly quickly.
Socialize (even if you have to force yourself)
Even though it could seem like a nuisance, leaving the house and engaging in social activities are excellent for you. Invite a buddy to join you for coffee or a stroll. The need to separate oneself will start to fade gradually but certainly. “Isolating oneself during this period is simple. Perhaps your ex has stolen your pals, or you avoid social situations because you don’t think you make good company. So many individuals separate themselves for a variety of reasons. This may aggravate pre existing depression.Even while you don’t have to force yourself to be as social as you once were, it’s still vital to establish relationships. Choose one or two individuals that you can trust and who make you feel good. Plan to see them once or twice each month. The healing process is really aided by this. It enables opportunity to smile, have fun, and pay attention to other things, according to Cirbus PhD, LMHC.
Get enough sleep
Getting adequate sleep is crucial for a positive mental attitude and outlook, whether or not one is depressed. Try to establish and adhere to a schedule if you discover that you are having problems falling asleep. You can feel better by establishing healthy sleep habits by going to bed and waking up at the same time (or very near to the same time).
Accept help
While accepting aid when it is provided might be difficult, it also feels good. When you know that you are loved and that others want to be with you, you not only reduce some of the tension you might be experiencing if you are overburdened.
Create a time and space for “me time”
One of the finest things you can do while you’re grieving a loss, including your divorce, is to set aside time for yourself. The best kind of healing can come from loving oneself. Find something you enjoy doing and treat yourself to it. Whatever brings you joy, make time for it. It might be yoga, writing, running, gardening, or reading a book.
Keep a journal
Writing in a journal is a well-known method for refocusing your attention, discovering thankfulness, and starting to look for the positives in life once more. If you have problems starting, you might want to look for a diary with helpful suggestions.
Be careful about the rebound
Particularly if you discover that you don’t enjoy being alone, you can feel the want to enter another relationship right away. However, if you’re not careful, rebound romances can be disastrous. So that you may truly have a shot at it lasting when you do discover the perfect person, take your time and learn to love being alone yourself.
Remind yourself that you have a future
Although it can be hard to see today, you do have a future. This too shall pass, as they say. And it still holds true if you have recently gone through or are recuperating from a traumatic divorce.
Find somewhere to volunteer
An excellent method to distract your thoughts away from your divorce is to volunteer. Because it’s so fulfilling, gaming may serve as both a diversion and a reward.
Accept what you cannot control
Perspective is one of the fantastic things you could learn through your divorce. It’s possible that you’ll discover that worrying over things you can’t control doesn’t help. Make an effort to concentrate on the things you can influence and modify your life as much as you can. Stuck? Simply ask yourself, “Am I in control of this?” Tell yourself gently to move on if the response is no.
Keep an eye on alcohol and drug consumption
It’s not always an issue to indulge excessively. While occasionally having fun is typically not a problem, watch out for adopting it as a coping mechanism.
Benjamin Levis 