It has to be one of the most stressful things to do in our lives – calling it quits on the former love of our lives. Or to be blindsided and left by the former love of our lives. The pain is excruciating, both emotionally and physically and impossibly lingering, often difficult to move on from, especially when children and property are involved. People going through divorce and separation often experience shock, panic, denial and grief, like people’s emotional response to a bereavement. Counselling and therapy can help people with divorce/separation by helping people to understand the physiological impacts of stress on their bodies. We can teach people to manage the physiological responses the body displays under acute stress.
Counselling and therapy can help people process and make sense of their emotions. If people are able to process their emotions in a healthy way, chances are, they can avoid the dreaded family law court process which is not pleasant for everybody!
HOW STRESSFUL IS DIVORCE AND SEPARATION AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
Stress is an umbrella term used to describe the range of physiological and psychological symptoms that can surface when we go through stressful life experiences. Below are some of the responses that can result from stress, anxiety and depression. (Stebbbins, 2006)
It is so daunting for people:
- when they experience panic attacks, inability to sleep, and loss of appetite;
- ruminating over details of the separation; and
- when they feel the grief of losing a significant other from their life.
Whether or not you were the one to initiate, it is still emotionally painful and taxing on both parties. Plus of course, your life in general, does not stop. Many people go through a divorce/separation whilst still going to work, running their business, parent children and dealing with aging parents. The list goes on. To add a divorce/separation, it really is no wonder why your mind and body is going into stress overload. Friends and family can help tremendously but there can be limitations and we don’t want to wear them out. This is where a trained psychotherapist comes in. This is where I can help.
