Divorce is a stressful and potentially painful process, but nearly 29,000 Michigan couples go through it every year. Whether you end your marriage amicably or you argue every step of the way, when everything is finished, you may be left with post-divorce depression. This is a major life transition, and it may take some time to fully overcome. Thankfully, there are some techniques you can use to accelerate your healing.
Here are some tips for getting through depression after divorce, courtesy of our depression counseling centers in Michigan.
Prepare for Every Stage of Grief
Depression after divorce is a lot like grief. Even though no one passed away, you still lost someone close to you. You can expect to go through all the stages of grief: denial, pain, anger, and acceptance. There may be days when you’re on an emotional roller coaster – relieved one minute and crying the next. You may go from feeling angry to feeling guilty to feeling sad in rapid succession. Simply knowing that these emotions may come will help you feel better in the moment. It’s part of the process and it will get better.
Focus on the Positive Elements of This New Life Chapter
In any form of depression treatment, it’s important to focus on the positive. Take this as an opportunity to venture out of your comfort zone. Join a club, join a gym, join a singles group at church. Do something new and exciting that you would have never done in your marriage. You do not have to reinvent yourself, but you should find something to be excited about. That will cut down your feelings of depression.
Find Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Post-Divorce Depression
Depression is often accompanied by addiction. We don’t want you to fall into that trap. You may be tempted to drink, smoke or gamble to numb your feelings, but that does not fix depression. In fact, addictive behaviors actually make depression worse. Find healthy ways to cope with your depression, like exercising or spending time with close family members. Talk to a depression counselor about your feelings, and you can learn proven techniques to overcome depression day by day. You deserve happiness, and you will find that again. Our depression counseling experts in Michigan are here to help every step of the way.
To schedule an appointment with a depression counselor in Michigan, call (248) 244-8644.