Divorce as a Depression Trigger
While depression is expressed in a number of ways and may stem from a variety of causes, severe depressive episodes are often the result of a “trigger,” or some external event that results in deep and immediate emotional trauma for the affected person. Common examples of depression triggers include:
- Death or illness of a loved one
- Major life changes
- Bouts of substance abuse
- Giving birth (called postpartum depression)
The end of a significant relationship as a psychological trigger falls under the category of “major life changes.” To some, divorce may seem like a personal failure – one that may be especially painful because it seems to indicate something fundamentally “wrong” about how that person relates with others.
People prone to depressive episodes – even if they can rationally understand a major life change as being for the better – are often unable to accept these changes on an emotional level. For example, someone leaving an abusive marriage or moving to another city to start a job may still feel depressed or set adrift. If left unchecked, these feelings can have serious real-world consequences.
Depressive episodes tend to snowball, gaining intensity and impact if they go unrecognized, so it is important to respond to a trigger as soon as it occurs. Although a natural amount of grief is to be expected following a divorce, if debilitating feelings of guilt, longing, and painful loss continue to have an effect in the workplace or other social settings, speaking with a psychiatrist about possible therapeutic treatments can provide a deep sense of relief and give you the strength to move on with your life.
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If you are facing divorce, you deserve a legal representative who is both effective and sensitive to your emotional wellbeing during this incredibly difficult time. Contact the Law Office of Daniel Jensen at 408-296-4100 today to speak with an experienced San Jose divorce lawyer.
