Divorce is one of the most challenging phases of life. It’s not simply about the end of a relationship; it’s about the emotional storm that comes with it—the grief, confusion, and feeling lost in the crowd.
The taboo associated with divorce causes an emotional upheaval to those going through the end of a relationship. Cultural challenges, judgment of the society, and pressure exerted by the family make it more challenging. Divorce also has a substantial psychological impact on the partners. For women, the lack of support and insufficient help make things even worse!
In this article, we shall talk about overcoming the trauma associated with divorce and discuss how various psychological tools can help women get out of it efficiently.
What Comes After The Divorce?
Trying to avoid the emotional pile-on and reclaiming power after losing a relationship is crucial. Strength doesn’t come from avoiding pain but from walking through it and surviving. People who try to move on immediately without even acknowledging their emotions end up affecting their mental health negatively. This is why it is necessary to understand what you are going through, as it helps you move on positively.
Leaving the past behind is the first thing that helps move towards a brighter future, but it takes time. It’s essential to understand that finding hope in the worst situations is the right way to heal and move on.
The Psychological Impact of Divorce
Divorce is a complex experience and has a massive impact on the emotional well-being of individuals going through separation. Here are some significant ways it can impact their emotional and mental well-being:
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Triggered Anxiety
The idea of an uncertain future triggers anxiety in people going through divorce. For women, the vulnerability associated with divorce is immense, especially in the Pakistani culture. The Pakistani society has orthodox views regarding divorce. The traditional and cultural values are stringent, and the idea of a couple separating is not deemed acceptable. Women going through divorce are labeled to be failures as they are not able to manage a household and relationships. The emotional toll it takes on both partners, but for females, it’s much more significant.
Together, these elements trigger anxiety in women and lead to affecting their mental health badly!
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Depression Coming From Financial Vulnerability
The feelings of sadness and loneliness associated with divorce are natural. They can aggravate with time if proper steps are not taken to deal with them. Women in Pakistan are primarily dependent on men in terms of finances. They don’t have the financial freedom to make their decisions independently. This leaves them in a vulnerable position. With no career backing them and the family support being minimal, divorce gets even more challenging for women.
Many women are financially dependent on their husbands, and divorce leaves them vulnerable, especially if they lack a career or family support.
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Social Isolation and Issues in Remarriage
Women who go through separation or divorce often deal with social isolation. This tends to affect their mental health negatively. Remarriage and getting into a relationship after divorce is tricky in the traditional Pakistani culture. This is especially difficult for women as they are considered undesirable and not of good character once they are tagged divorced.
Dealing With The Psychological Impact of Divorce
Here are some ways women can deal with the psychological impact of divorce:
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Grieve Your Heart Out
Not allowing oneself to heal after going through the challenging situation of divorce is the most cruel thing one can do with oneself. The first step includes acknowledging the feelings and seeking closure. When it comes to acknowledging feelings, journaling and opening your heart to a loved one can help in emotional healing. Talking about feelings enables you to understand your own emotions better. It also exposes unresolved emotions that can be managed only when recognized.
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Surround Yourself With Supportive People
Being close to positive people and those who support you even in your worst situations is necessary. These are the people who help you get out of the feeling of misery and consider yourself pitiful. Staying close to friends who don’t judge you and provide unconditional love will give you the much-needed strength to cope with the situation.
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Focus On Your Career
Diverting your attention and redefining your identity can help you overcome divorce. Staying idle will further exacerbate the feeling of pity and cause trauma to aggravate. Starting a hobby, initiating a business, enrolling in a course, or starting a job are ways to rediscover yourself and improve your personality.
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Manage Your Identity Crisis
Another major issue associated with divorce is identity crisis. This is especially true for women who have been married for many years. Getting out of the relationship makes them question their standing and significance as an individual. If this crisis persists for a very long period, it can impact the self-worth of the sufferer. Hence, getting out of it is necessary to move on and find better opportunities in life.
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Get Professional Help
The trauma associated with divorce can have a massive psychological impact on a person. To deal with it, getting professional help is necessary. This will aid in managing all kinds of anxieties and self-esteem issues associated with divorce. Alongside this, PTSD, also known as post-traumatic stress disorder, is a common psychological issue related to divorce. Also known as battle fatigue, a psychologist can manage it effectively.
Prioritizing self-care and managing cultural pressures associated with divorce help in dealing with divorce. But, the mental health issues related to divorce can only be dealt with appropriately by consulting a professional psychologist. SehatYab provides easy access to professionals and the best psychologists in Pakistan. While sitting at home, you can book a session with one and have the therapy your brain asks for.
Way Forward
Rebuilding after divorce is a journey back to yourself. Yes, it will be difficult and require a lot of strength from you. Focusing on new opportunities and taking small steps toward a better future is necessary. You must embrace the new opportunities that allow you to improve your personality and have substantial professional growth. For Pakistani women, determination, self-care, and a positive mindset can help them deal with the stress and trauma associated with divorce.
If you feel alone and miserable, get a consultation with a psychologist through SehatYab, and you will be in better hands!
The article is reviewed by: Miss Nawal (Clinical Psychologist) & Miss Maryam (Clinical Psychologist)