Broken Dreams The Effect of Divorce on Women

One marriage of two ends with a divorce. The number is shocking in itself, but it gets worse.
Women are more prone to suffer of physical and psychological effects of getting divorced.
This is true even in the light of the fact that two-third of the divorces are indicated by females.
A divorce ends in most cases an unhappy marriage burdened with tensions, fights and
growing helplessness and hopelessness, before one of the partners says the final word.
However, the sudden freedom brings no relief and happiness. Divorced persons have higher
rates of cardiovascular diseases, higher chance of dying in an accident, they show a greater
extent of emotional disturbances, more often struggle with emotions of depression and hostile
feelings toward others.
Leaving a dysfunctional relationship leaves the woman alone without additional help in some
cases. The fundamental feeling of disappointment is just one of the problems you have to
face. To adapt successfully and fulfill the demands of various roles at work, at home, as a
mother or simply just as a woman who is looking for another relationship can take significant
levels of effort and resources.
Women often experience guilt for ending the marriage. They feel they cannot stay with their
partner, but the bad feeling of finishing the association is there, it is stronger when the couple
has children. The feelings of anxiety and anger are common reactions as well.
The experience of divorce requires a woman to build herself up again. Physical, emotional
and financial difficulties impede the process of reintegration after disintegration. You feel
lonely and facing an overwhelming amount of challenges you have to master on your own.
But is it true? According to the ancient wisdom, the scars of love will be healed with another
love. The only problem is that you do not know when you find the new love and you cannot
be sure that the next relationship will be perfect. You can face your struggles alone. You can
choose ways leading nowhere, e. g. starting drinking or using drugs, jumping from one
relationship to another. Or you can seek professional help.
A psychologist will be more beneficial you might think. Just think about the following:
He or she is trained to solve this kind of problems
You will be most likely not the first client with similar problems
The therapist can help you to elaborate negative feelings, reduce levels of anxiety,
grief, guilt and depression
He or she will help you to discover your strengths, providing the base for reintegrating
yourself
With your improving mental and physical health as well as your advanced
consciousness you will be open to new experiences, which might even open the
possibility to find a new (and more suitable) love
The psychologist will walk with you along the road as long as you need it, providing
acceptance, highlighting resources and improving you as a unique human being.
Have you recognized yourself or someone close to you? Waste no time on running blind
alleys. Contact a therapist to help you overcome the emotional, psychological, physical and
social difficulties of divorce.

References for your use:

Cherlin, A. J., Chase-Lansdale, P. L., McRae, C: Effects of Divorce on Mental Health
Through the Life Course, Hopkins Population Center Papers on Population WP 97-1
February, 1997
Gindes, M.: The Psychological Effects of Relocation for Children of Divorce, Journal of the
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Vol. 15, 1998
Van Schalkwyk, G.: Explorations of Post-Divorce Experiences: Womens Reconstructions of
Self, ANZJFT Volume 26 Number 2 2005 pp. 9097
Williams, K., Kurina, L. M.: The Social Structure, Stress, and Womens Health, Clinical
Obstetrics and Gynecology. 45: 1099-1118, 2002