Coping with Divorce

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual divorce rate is still close to 50%. This rate does not include some states such as California where it is estimated that 60-75% of all marriages end in divorce.

Divorce can create a heavy toll for the individual, couple, children, and extended family members. This heavy toll is often both financial and emotional. The effects of a divorce can realize both short and long-term repercussions for the entire family. Some of these repercussions can include:

Symptoms of Depression: sleep disturbance, appetite disturbance, isolating, Loss of interest in activities, irritability, fatigue, excessive sadness Anxiety: excessive worries, fears, racing thoughts, poor concentration, low self-esteem, heightened alcohol or drug use For children: acting out at home or school, poor self-care, self-injury, moodiness

Individual adults and parents can take steps to help themselves, their children, and their extended family members. Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being is a crucial step in coping with divorce. Identifying the warning signs in yourself and your children can begin the healing process. Finding someone you can express the negative feelings you and your children maybe holding is another vital step towards feeling better. Utilizing positive coping skills to gradually diminish the negative effects of divorce is another step towards wellness. Developing a system of support for yourself and your children can help maintain your renewed sense of wellness in the long term. The trained professionals at Wellspring Therapy Center can help you, your children, and your family members cope with divorce. We can provide individual, family, and couple counseling. Our counselors can provide support in a confidential, professional environment. We can help with:

• Diminishing the negative symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
• Improve self-esteem and confidence
• Replace negative coping behaviors with positive coping skills
• Improve communications skills
• Develop effective co-parenting
• Help heal the repercussions of divorce on you, yourself, and your family