Divorce + Depression: It’s real and It’s ok!

You may have been divorced for a long time or a short, concise time; either way, Depression can set on at any moment (and don’t be afraid to let it out).

We’ve heard from many of you that you have these days when something hits you, and you cannot pinpoint what it may be, but it just hits you, and you burst into tears.

Is it divorce depression, or is it situational? It doesn’t matter; you need to feel the feelings that you are having at certain moments. You cannot always be expected to be there for everyone in your immediate family 24/7 (even though you try).

When you feel like this, let someone know and talk it out, you will feel so much better if you do.

I find myself in these moments every once in a while and sobbing for being overwhelmed by

life. Sometimes I sit back and think about all I have been through and where I am or am not, and it just hits me. It’s life, and sometimes you need to take care of yourself.

We talked in the last blog about adulting and the difficult task of keeping it together all the time and then taking time for yourself.

This time we are identifying some resources that can help you navigate these depressive moments when you feel nothing is on track in this world for you. Here are some signs you may have Depression after Divorce:

Symptoms of depression

Sometimes it may be hard to tell if sadness has progressed to depression. However, signs to look out for include the following:

• Sadness or hopelessness that won’t go away

• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed

• feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus

• Crying more often than you used to

• difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

• changes in appetite like eating more often or not wanting to eat at all

• thoughts of suicide

A few divorce support groups to consider include:

• Divorce support online and in-person: Divorce Care

• Divorce support for women: Woman’s Divorce

• Divorce support for men: MensGroup

• LGBTQ+ community divorce support: Rainbow Families

*Source Psych Central

Please let yourself go through the motions but seek support daily to ensure you end up in a happier place.