“A divorce is like an amputation: you survive it, but there’s less of you.”
These words of Margaret Atwood express the kind of pain most women go through when their marriages break up. A divorce can be really taxing on both man and woman. With divorce rates on the increase, it’s definitely an issue of social concern, since recent studies have provided ample evidence that a major chunk of women slip into depression after being divorced. This manifests itself in the form of physiological disorders over the years.
Data collected from various studies from around the world indicates that divorced women have a higher rate of developing physical ailments as compared to married ones. Married women were found to be much happier and healthier than divorced women.
However strong, independent and ‘emancipated’, women have always wanted to be sheltered and pampered. A woman sets treasure by certain relationships and that of a husband is one of the most valuable! Under the shelter of ‘his wings’ she feels safe and protected. The psychological and physical support that a woman draws from her spouse can neither be measured, nor replaced. She draws strength in times of adversity, just from the thought that he exists, the thought that he is around. It is when this bond is broken that the turmoil begins.
Divorce, most of the times, is just the beginning of the onset of disorders that manifest themselves into major health problems over the years. Divorced women are proven to be more prone to headaches, irritability, sleeping disorders, eating disorders, diabetes, and hypertension as compared to married women belonging to the same age bracket. What is it that causes women to slip into depression when a marriage fails?
Divorced women tend to lose their sense of security. They may feel betrayed and angry. They may become bitter towards others, especially towards men. They tend to lose interest in things they used to enjoy earlier and start exhibiting typical symptoms of depression. At times they may also blame themselves for not being able to make the marriage work. What’s important for women to understand, is that marriage is not one sided. They cannot blame themselves for not making the marriage work. It’s an ongoing process and both partners have to give equally to make it successful.
If you’re divorced and single, and are feeling depressed, seek help. Confide in friends or your close relatives. Allow them to be there for you. Seek professional help is necessary. Also, make sure you socialize. Most divorced women, who slip into depression, tend to start avoiding people. Cutting out on your social life would only make things worse. The more occupied you stay and the more people you meet, the brighter you’ll stay. And who knows, you might be missing out on meeting Mr. Right, just because you were too busy crying over Mr. Wrong! Women, who remarry, are according to studies and surveys a much happier lot than their unmarried counterparts. So put your best foot forward and step out to take on the world with a big smile, genuine enthusiasm and a will to make your life better and happier and so it shall be.
Tags: depression Depression Tips divorced women margaret atwood
