Symptoms Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) From Divorce
According to studies, divorce is the second most stressful event an individual can go through. Even the healthiest, most mutual divorce may carry emotional baggage, lengthy court proceedings, and other stressors, so recovery can take time. However, for some people, recovery might seem to be farther on the horizon. In some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from divorce develops.
Symptoms of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder (specifically a stress disorder) that often blunts positive affect, with numerous symptoms that fall into four symptomatic categories. These categories include the following:
Avoidance
Intrusive memories
Adverse changes in thinking or behavior
Changes in physical and emotional reactions
Intrusive symptoms may involve flashbacks (vivid re-living of an event through memories and sensations) or nightmares. Re-experiencing these scenes can cause people to engage in avoidance behaviors to avoid experiences, objects, people, topics, or places that trigger memories of the event leading to PTSD.
Negative mood and thinking patterns may occur in the form of depression, anxiety, and increased irritability. Changes in physical and emotional reactions can mean "feeling on edge" or engaging in reactionary behavior and communication. Some people may also engage in risky behaviors, like engaging in unsafe sexual activities, gambling, or driving recklessly. In some instances, people may utilize substances as an unhealthy coping mechanism.
To meet the minimum requirements for a PTSD diagnosis, psychologists look at whether an individual meets these symptoms for at least one month. Prolonged symptoms can lead to other physical and mental health conditions due to the intense nature of PTSD, so individuals may receive more than one diagnosis.
PTSD can also involve physical symptoms, including but not limited to headaches, stomachaches, and unexplained body pains.
Does divorce give children PTSD?
Children may be susceptible to PTSD-related symptoms following a divorce, particularly if the divorce between their caregivers or parents was tumultuous, prolonged, or marked by excessive arguing. Because children may not understand the complex dynamics of adult relationships, divorce can give children the impression that their relationship with their parents is also at risk. In addition, divorce can come with many transitions.
While adults might see the difference in the two types of relationships, children's minds may not be as able to differentiate. In addition, studies show that a parent's divorce is one of the most traumatizing experiences for many children. With many children experiencing divorce, some can develop PTSD.
PTSD in children
Changes in behavior and sleeping patterns are two symptoms of PTSD in children whose parents have divorced. Children might seem quiet and withdrawn with one or both parents. Contrarily, they might increasingly demonstrative aggressive, angry, defensive, or destructive behaviors. As they experience symptoms, they might have difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or sleep more than usual.
Some children may show a decline in academic performance, including changes like failing exams or not completing assignments. This shift could be the result of a fear response. Children might take on the role of one parent, who is meeker than the other, or a more aggressive parent. Through this process, they act out the roles that have become the new normal for them.
Often, children struggle to communicate with their parents about what they are experiencing. For that reason, it can be essential for parents to take heed of any behavioral, communication, or mood changes and take steps to resolve them. Children may benefit significantly from professional intervention with a childhood divorce therapist.
Why do children get PTSD from divorce?
Children rely heavily upon family stability to develop a sense of equilibrium in their lives. They require a safe home to return to when life has grown confusing, overwhelming, or dangerous. If home life does not provide that stability, children might begin to experience symptoms of PTSD and feel confused about what is happening.
Does divorce give adults PTSD?
Adults involved in a divorce may also experience PTSD due to losing their partner. However, divorce trauma may be more likely in prolonged or high-conflict divorces, as both spouses may experience mood changes, stress, and significant life changes. For this reason, cooperation may be an essential aspect of divorce:
Children aren't the only ones who can experience intense feelings during a divorce. Many of the most severe life stressors commonly lead adults to experiencing PTSD. Divorce is one of the leading stressors worldwide, so it may be considered traumatic.
PTSD has also been linked to divorce in instances involving sudden divorce or infidelity. Because both circumstances involve a dramatic loss of trust in someone previously considered a partner, PTSD might be possible. Individuals in these cases might experience flashbacks about the day they were told their partner was leaving, the day they discovered their partner had had an affair, or when they experienced a job loss or financial burden after their spouse left them.
Partners may also feel they no longer have a safe space to retreat if their spouse committed infidelity at home or held secrets for many years. Severe anxiety, reactive behaviors, or avoidance of home can occur.
While some people associate PTSD with war, natural disasters, or car accidents, many stressful events can be traumatic for people, and not every person reacts to the same event in the same way. If you are experiencing PTSD symptoms from a divorce, consider talking to a therapist about your feelings.
PTSD risk factors after divorce
The primary risk factor for PTSD is experiencing traumatic events, including divorce or the discovery of infidelity. Apart from this factor, a history of anxiety disorders or depression or a family history of these conditions may elevate your risk of developing PTSD. Having experienced other mental health conditions or serious trauma may also predispose you to develop PTSD from events like divorce.
Counseling options
PTSD is a treatable condition. Some people can manage their PTSD through talk therapy and other therapeutic modalities, while others might use therapy in conjunction with pharmaceutical intervention as part of their treatment protocol. In the case of a divorce, PTSD may be prolonged or short-term. However, PTSD symptoms can cause a significant impairment in functioning, which is why reaching out for professional support early on may be beneficial.
Some people might struggle to seek support due to barriers like financial stress, a busy schedule, or embarrassment about seeking services. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may make receiving adequate care more manageable, more convenient, and more affordable. For those living with PTSD, going to in-person appointments in unfamiliar settings can be uncomfortable and stressful.
Research suggests that online therapy is effective for mental illnesses like PTSD from a divorce. One study analyzing the impact of online therapy for those with PTSD noted that many participants experienced significant improvements in their symptoms. Another found that online therapy could be effective for those who had gone through domestic violence or abuse in their relationship, which are also potential causes for PTSD post-divorce.
Takeaway
PTSD after divorce can occur in children, adolescents, and adults. The conflict and significant life change accompanying divorce can cause your body and brain to lose safety, support, and stability. Still, PTSD is a highly treatable mental illness, so reaching out to a mental health professional for support and guidance may improve your symptoms over time. You're not alone, and help is available.
Can divorce affect mental health?
People experience divorce differently and the emotional fallout of the divorce process can have a negative effect on a person’s mental health. In some cases, divorce could exacerbate or cause a mental health disorder. If you are struggling with your mental health after divorce, it could be beneficial to seek therapy.
Can PTSD be caused by divorce?
Developing PTSD post divorce or breakup is possible. Traumatic events such as intimate partner abuse leading to serious injury, domestic violence, caused during your marriage or relationship, can cause you to experience PTSD. Even court proceedings as part of the separation process, especially if there are questions about child custody involved, can contribute to PTSD from divorce.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. People can develop PTSD if they’ve witnessed or experienced a traumatic event, sometimes one involving actual or threatened death. Risk factors include experiencing some types of the most severe life stressors such as emotional trauma, experiencing natural disasters, combat, physical violence, or sexual violence. Posttraumatic stress symptoms persist once the traumatic situations are no longer present and are no longer an actual serious threat. People who have experienced combat often have what is called a combat stress reaction, which is short-term and therefore not the same as PTSD, although it has similar symptoms. Often, people associate PTSD with combat, but it can be caused by a variety of traumatic situations. If you suspect that you might be experiencing combat stress reaction or PTSD, it is a good idea to seek a PTSD diagnosis and PTSD treatment.
How to deal with PTSD from divorce?
If you are experiencing post divorce trauma and get a formal PTSD diagnosis, it is important to connect with supportive friends and family and to practice self-care. But self-care and support are not enough to help you overcome post traumatic stress disorder. You should also seek out therapy to help with your PTSD from a divorce.
Can I manage PTSD without therapy?
Living with PTSD from a divorce without support can lead to risky or destructive behavior and/or debilitating symptoms. Untreated PTSD can also lead to other mental disorders or mental health conditions such as social anxiety or substance use disorder. It is generally not a good idea to try to deal with PTSD on your own without therapeutic help from a mental health professional. If you have experienced serious trauma that has led to PTSD, anxiety disorders, or other mental health disorders, it is important to seek in-person or online therapy.
How to cope with PTSD from divorce?
When you experience common symptoms of PTSD, it is important to engage your coping skills. Two simple but effective techniques include relaxation strategies and deep breathing exercises.
Can PTSD from divorce impact daily life?
Post traumatic stress symptoms can affect your daily life. They can cause difficulty concentrating, leading to you failing exams or not performing at work. Low self esteem and avoidance behaviors can lead you to avoid social situations and relationships. A negative mood or difficulty experiencing positive affect can also affect your relationships with others. Intrusive symptoms such as flashbacks or nightmares can be emotionally traumatic.
Can you cure PTSD?
While there is no “cure” for PTSD, it is possible to recover from PTSD with the proper therapeutic support.
What are PTSD symptoms?
People experience PTSD symptoms based on past trauma. A memory or reminder of a past trauma triggers a fear response. PTSD related symptoms are part of this fear response and can manifest as physical symptoms or as emotional distress with emotional reactions that are not in line with what is actually happening in the current moment. PTSD symptoms can include distressful psychological symptoms such as flashbacks or nightmares.
Can PTSD affect you socially?
You might experience PTSD related symptoms that affect you socially. Not knowing when stressful events such as panic attacks might occur could heighten your fear of being in public or social anxiety. If your PTSD causes you to engage in risky behaviors or destructive behavior, people may distance themselves from you. This is an unfortunate side effect of PTSD, because social support is important for healing and wellbeing. Therefore, this is one more reason why it’s important to seek therapeutic support for PTSD from a divorce.
- Previous Article
- Next Article