The psychological trauma of divorce

Not all wounds leave visible scars. Some are imperceptible to the naked eye, cut deeper and alter a person’s sense of being. Next to a loved one’s death, social rating scales reveal that divorce is one of the most stressful human experiences. While not all divorces cause extraordinary upheaval, extreme cases may be severe enough to result in psychological trauma.

The progression of divorce’s profound pain

Psychological trauma occurs in response to a sudden and staggering event, producing a wide range of negative feelings. Aside from assaults and accidents, divorce can equally lead to an unusually overwhelming stream of adverse emotions.

Shock and denial may be the instinctive response upon learning how the divorce can disrupt the family. As the split unfolds, identifiers of a psychologically traumatized individual may become more substantial. These markers may include any or a combination of helplessness, social withdrawal and drastic changes in functioning, behaviors and views.

However, when the mind can no longer endure the intensity of a uniquely challenging and prolonged divorce, the person may soon experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The emergence of PTSD symptoms varies depending on the circumstances.