Divorce and health

Divorce is a major event that has a lot of impact on your life. It is often not only about practical or legal matters, but also about your physical and mental health. During or after a divorce, you may have to deal with all kinds of complaints and feelings, both emotional and physical.

Mental and emotional consequences

Many people experience feelings of sadness, anger, disappointment or uncertainty during or after a divorce. This is perfectly normal. Yet in some cases, these emotions can persist or worsen. You may experience prolonged stress, gloominess, anxiety symptoms or sleep problems. If you notice that you are functioning less and less well in daily life or feel dejected over a long period of time, it is wise to talk to someone about it. The general practitioner or practice support GGZ (POH-GGZ) can offer support in this.

Physical complaints due to stress

Prolonged stress affects your body. You may develop symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain or abdominal discomfort. In people with chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, stress can worsen symptoms. Your daily rhythm often gets disrupted: you sleep worse, eat less healthily or have less energy for exercise. Especially at such times, it is important to take good care of yourself, even if it does not always feel feasible.

Impact on children

If children are involved, it is good to realise that divorce can also change a lot for them. Some children react sad or angry, others withdraw or have problems at school. They may feel insecure about the new situation or start to feel responsible for their parents' well-being. It helps to engage children in what is happening and give space for their feelings. If you are concerned about how your child is processing the divorce, you can seek support from the youth doctor, family doctor or school social work.

Help and support

You don't have to go it alone. If you notice that divorce is affecting your health, it is important to seek help early. The GP can be a first point of contact, and may be able to refer you to a practice counsellor, psychologist or social worker.