Mental State of the Person following divorce Proceedings
It will be difficult for a person to adjust in life after divorce and that will be considered as a tough phase in their life. You can go through various kinds of emotions during that period. Experiencing high levels of stress, and depression are some conditions that you might be vulnerable to.
Events resulting in trauma such as the death of a family member, or divorce can cause depression, but it is not the same as medical state of depression. It can also be regarded as a disorder relating to adjustment. There is no difference between medical depression and depression as per the situation both operate in almost the same manner.
It has been observed that depression following a divorce can change the people’s behaviors such as being distant from their duties, fighting, decreased levels of concentration and therefore low levels of production at work, avoiding family and friends.
Consult your physician immediately, if you are experiencing the severe symptoms of depression or displaying any one of these above mentioned actions. He may suggest a course of action or recommend medications to treat your problem.
How do you know it’s depression?
Irritability, crying spells, fatigue, lack of hunger, suicidal thoughts and even attempts, showing minimal interest towards the hobbies that you once enjoyed, difficulty concentrating,difficulty in sleeping, experiencing negative thoughts, and a feeling that you are of no use are the possible symptoms of depression.
Your doctor will diagnose the condition by basing it upon the above symptoms. Chances of getting diagnosed with depression are more if you have a minimum of five symptoms.
Men may feel depression variously, whereas, women go through depression in a different manner. Following are the symptoms of depression in women
- Feeling sad
- Worthlessness, and
- Feeling guilt
Whereas the symptoms of depression in men include:
- Binge drinking
- Using drugs
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
Usually, after separating from the husband women are more likely to experience the symptoms of depression than men. However, men will be not interested to talk about their depression.
When to visit a Physician
Call 911 or consult your doctor immediately if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts. It might be easy for you to explain your problem to an unknown person than the one you are familiar with. This unknown person will be helpful to get past the thought of giving up.
It’s better to fix an appointment with your healthcare provider immediately if you are experiencing the symptoms of depression for more than 10 days. If you need support, bring your caretaker with you while going to consult your doctor. It’s better to write down the main symptoms in a paper if you are a forgetful person and submit that list to your doctor. Also, write down about your previous medications and never hesitate to tell your doctor if you are an alcoholic or a drug addict.
Your doctor may prescribe
Antidepressants
Antidepressant medications are your doctor’s first choice if you are diagnosed with depression. These drugs work by raising the levels of feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin in our brain. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic and tricyclic-related drugs, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are considered as the antidepressants.
Anti-anxiety medication
Psychiatrists often prescribe this medication to their patients in order to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Benzodiazepines, Beta-blockers, and buspirone are considered as anti-anxiety medications.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is considered a natural treatment for mental health conditions and the one who performs this activity is known as a psychotherapist. The main aim of this therapy is to find out the underlying problem in depressed people. There are different types and styles in psychotherapy such as behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.
Art therapy, acupuncture or massage therapy, and relaxation techniques like yoga or a sports class are the other therapies recommended by the doctor.
Pre-existing depression and divorce:
Chances of separating from each other in couples will be higher if anyone of the partners is suffering from depression. If both the partners are diagnosed with depression, they are less likely to take divorce as they are aware of the symptoms of mental health conditions and they try to understand each other and support each other.
In some cases, if both the partners are suffering from mental disorders they are more likely to divorce than the ones who don’t experience any mental health conditions. This helped the researchers to come to the conclusion that pre-existing mental health conditions can lead to divorce.
What are the tips to manage depression after taking a divorce?
Divorce not only affects the couple, but
- Children of the people divorcing
- The larger family network
- Family friends and relatives
Having a people support is vital in order to manage depression after taking divorce. You will be surrounded by many people and it can make you feel tired than usual. Following are the tips to manage depression
Write in a journal
Even though you have people support, it’s better to put your thoughts in a paper. You don’t need to express your feelings to anyone and just write down your thoughts.
Exercise daily
Do a physical activity daily and convert it into a daily habit. Because it has been observed that brisk walking about 15 to 30 minutes in a day can prevent the symptoms of depression and some other mental health disorders.
Eat healthily
Follow a perfect diet by eating healthful items and keeping healthy foods around. Because there are chances of addicting to unhealthy foods or alcohol in the phase of depression.
Pamper yourself
Pamper yourself by spending more time under the shower or watch your favorite movies or go to your favorite place. Spend time with your children and do babysitting for at least 1-2 hours if you have children.
Accept help
you may feel weak during this period of adjustment. Don’t hesitate to take help from the people who are offering you with
- Household chores
- Preparing meals
- Watching your children
Mingle with people
The furthest thing you want to do in your life is to mingle with people. Depressed persons need people who are willing to listen to their stories and they also want those people to correct them when they are going on the wrong track in their life.
Sleep
Based on a clinical study, it has been observed that depression can cause insomnia. As insomnia affected to your body it will result in increases your risk for depression. If you are unable to sleep at night, try to follow a night routine. Following are the common ways to prevent insomnia
- Having a cup of chamomile tea
- Reading a book
- Taking a bath or shower before going to bed
- Don’t use mobile phones for one hour before going to bed
Refrain from using electronic screens as they will not allow you to have a sleep in a sound way.
Conclusion
You may experience a different kind of emotions and thoughts following a divorce. It will be hard for you to lead a normal life with the absence of your partner. But you have to accept the truth and welcome your new life. Aiming for short targets and achieving those make your day.
Maintaining a good attitude is the significant aspect of your life because these days attitude matters a lot. You have to accept and tolerate the problems and constantly bear in mind that you deserve the best.
Sirisha B