Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Divorce
Overcoming Divorce Depression
When you first decided to get divorced, you were beyond ready to break free from your marriage and move on with your life. After the divorce petition was filed, you and your spouse went back and forth over how you would handle the family home, the kids, and your finances. You thought this tug-and-war experience would never end. You were exhausted.
Fast forward to today, and things are very different. The dust from your divorce has settled. The kids are living with your ex-spouse, who has been granted custody of them. And your new apartment is so quiet you could hear a pin drop in it.
This is life at 35. And it’s not how it was supposed to be.
The truth, though, is that life doesn’t always happen as planned. And for many people who experience marital breakups, divorce depression is, unfortunately, a real problem.
Here’s a rundown on how you can deal with this type of depression following a divorce proceeding in Texas.
How You Might Feel When You Have Divorce Depression
When you break up with your spouse, the loss you experience may be comparable to what you’d feel after losing a family member or friend. After all, divorce signifies the end of a marriage and thus dashed dreams and hopes.
Here’s a look at a few symptoms of divorce depression you might experience after going through divorce.
- Being unable to sleep
- Overeating or lacking an appetite
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Feeling suicidal
- Constantly thinking about death
- Being uninterested in activities you used to enjoy
- Feeling indifferent or pessimistic
- Feeling restless and anxious
- Feeling irritable and angry
- Constantly struggling with negative thoughts
- Having trouble concentrating
- Drinking alcohol and using drugs excessively
- Struggling with unusual pains and aches
- Feeling fatigued
Although having these feelings following a divorce is not abnormal, you should see a physician if you begin to experience four or more of the abovementioned symptoms daily for an extended period. That’s because lingering divorce depression may be causing them.
When people experience deaths in their families, it is common for others to offer them support. This type of support is usually absent, however, when a person is divorced. So, in this situation, it’s critical that you seek out support yourself.
Be Grateful
One of the best moves you can make when dealing with divorce depression is to practice being grateful for what you do have despite the divorce. In other words, it’s imperative that you actively attempt to find things to be joyful about. For instance, you can be grateful to hear the birds sing, or you can show gratitude for the close friend who’s been there for you through thick and thin.
Along these lines, it’s a wise idea to give yourself the chance to experience life’s simple pleasures. For instance, you can take time to read an encouraging book, or enjoy sunshine, or bake your favorite dessert. Aromatherapy can also help you to feel better; in fact, rose oil remains a popular essential oil for naturally treating depression.
Be Self-Aware When You’re Battling Divorce Depression
If you realize that certain items around your home trigger sad memories for you, it may be a good idea to get rid of them. For instance, it may be a good time to put your wedding pictures away, or you can remove your wedding ring.
In addition, now is an excellent time to start journaling if you haven’t done it before. Specifically, you should focus on keeping track of when you start to feel depressed. For instance, maybe the evening hours trigger your sorrow. As soon as you uncover a pattern, start doing something new and enjoyable during the time of day when your divorce depression symptoms are most pronounced.
Also, when you do end up feeling a little down, keep reminding yourself that it’s your choice to be joyful. You may not feel happy at first, but over time, you’ll see your attitude change for the better.
Look Outside of Yourself When You’re Struggling with Divorce Depression
Let’s say you’re feeling especially overwhelmed with sorrowful feelings following your divorce. A smart way of combating these feelings is to focus on helping other people. This will help you to take your mind off your own situation.
For example, when you’re battling divorce depression, give someone else a compliment, or do a favor for a neighbor or friend. Brightening somebody else’s day has a funny way of brightening your own day, too.
Limit Your Sadness When Struggling with Divorce Depression
Perhaps your divorce depression continues to be heavy no matter how hard you try to overcome it. In this scenario, it may behoove you to set aside between 15 and 30 minutes per day to let yourself feel sorrowful. If you start to feel sad outside of this block of time, remind yourself to save it for that allotted time slot. Then, when it’s time, let yourself feel sad with no restrictions.
Afterward, emphasize to yourself that you can feel miserable again the next day during your time slot. You eventually won’t need the time slot as you get farther from your divorce date.
Tackle Your Divorce Proceeding with Confidence Now!
All in all, yes, divorce can be a pain, as it can lead to divorce depression along with financial challenges, for instance. However, it can also be a very positive stepping stone in your life, leading you to an even better stage of life.
At Ramos Law Group, PLLC, we understand how difficult divorce can be in Texas. That’s why we’re passionate about guiding you through the process and making it as simple and painless for you as possible. For instance, we can help you to take advantage of divorce mediation or collaboration, which is generally less hostile, costly, and stressful than traditional divorce litigation.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can protect your best interests long term during your divorce proceeding.
Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Mary E. Ramos
By submitting this form, I understand and agree that an attorney-client relationship with Ramos Law Group is ONLY established upon entering into a written fee agreement. I acknowledge that this submission is not a request for legal advice, and any information received in response will not constitute legal advice.
I also consent to receiving text messages from Ramos Law Group. I can text ‘STOP’ to opt out of text messages at any time. Please visit our SMS Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for more details.