Maryland law generally allows you to end your marriage for any reason that you can think of. However, a divorce is considered to be one of the most stressful events that a person can experience. In fact, those who have gone through a split from their spouses may develop symptoms that are similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Symptoms to be aware of
After a divorce, you may have negative thoughts about yourself, your former spouse or others who may have meddled in your marriage. You may engage in risky behaviors such as binge drinking, drug use or gambling. Those who are suffering from PTSD or other mental health issues may have difficulty concentrating or sleeping through the night. Finally, you may withdraw from friends, family members or others who are important to you or stop participating in activities that you enjoyed prior to the divorce.
Trauma risk factors
You may be at a higher risk for PTSD after a divorce if you have gone through traumatic episodes in the past. The same may be true if the divorce itself is a particularly adversarial event. It’s important to remember that your children may also be vulnerable to depression, anxiety or other mental health ailments in the aftermath of your divorce. Therefore, it’s important to keep tabs on their behavior to ensure that they get the help that they need.
Taking a proactive approach to a divorce may allow you to end your marriage in a timely and amicable manner. It may also enable you to obtain the resources needed to ensure that you and your children can get through the transition with your mental, physical and financial health intact.