Divorce stages of grief – 5 common stages

Divorce stages of grief - 5 common stages

What is divorce grief?

Divorce stages of grief - 5 common stagesDivorce stages of grief: Divorce grief is a multi-step process relating to the ending of a marriage. A person must go through different stages to heal from their grief. This is easier said than done for various people because each step is painful and can be challenging to handle emotionally.

Divorce stages of grief

Divorce stages of grief: If you are undergoing a divorce, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed with the complexities of the process. Grieving the loss of a once-committed relationship is a natural reaction to divorce, and it need not be a negative experience so long as you acknowledge your feelings. To help you through this journey, we have outlined stages of grief that commonly occur after a divorce.

Divorce Stages of Grief: Denial

Denial can manifest in feelings of shock or numbness. You may feel like you’re still in a dream, that the divorce is not happening. It’s widespread to experience denial when your spouse tells you they want out of the relationship. Although this phase seems counterproductive to moving on after a divorce, it is vital for your well-being during this period.

Divorce Stages of Grief: Anger

After a divorce, anger is a natural reaction to hurt and frustration. You may feel like you’re constantly snapping at your spouse or taking out your anger on them somehow, which will only worsen the situation during this sensitive phase. If you can’t get past your anger, talk to someone.

Divorce Stages of Grief: Bargaining

You may find yourself wanting to strike a deal with your partner to save the relationship. For example, you might promise to be more romantic or affectionate if your spouse agrees to stay in the marriage. You might even convince yourself that this deal will work. However, it’s essential to remember that this is a temporary emotion and not a practical solution to the problem at hand: your marriage is ending.

Divorce Stages of Grief: Depression

Although you may feel like you’re spiraling into an eternal sadness after a divorce, depression is a necessary response. You are experiencing the phase that most people associate with the grief process, but do not mistake this for clinical depression. It’s normal to feel down after a divorce; however, if you find yourself unable to get through your day without crying, binge eating or drinking, or feel like giving up on life entirely, seek professional help immediately.

Divorce Stages of Grief: Acceptance

Accepting that your marriage is over and understanding what this means for you and your life is the last stage in the divorce process. As difficult as it might be, try to remember that you will feel better about your decision to end your marriage in time. If there was any positive that came from this experience, cling to it and focus on the future.

It’s vital to understand that everyone goes through divorce in their own unique way and goes through the grief stages at their own pace. If you have trouble coping with your feelings after a divorce, reach out for help from friends, family members or mental health professionals. You can get on with your life faster if you deal with your emotions as quickly as possible.

Divorce Stages of Grief – What is the divorce grief cycle?

The divorce grief cycle is a set of emotional stages experienced when going through the end of a marriage. As the divorce process occurs, a person goes through a range of emotions from anger to depression. Each person is unique and will experience each stage at their own pace.

What are some examples for each phase?

Denial may look like someone not acknowledging their spouse’s decision to leave the marriage. Anger may include some individuals acting out against their ex-spouse, while some people begin to blame themselves for what happened. Bargaining might look like an individual trying to convince their spouse to stay or asking for things they never got in the past. Depression can lead individuals to feel extremely sad and hopeless about their future. Acceptance might happen when someone makes peace with their decision and is ready to move forward with their life. Hope could be a possibility of reconciliation or new love down the road.

What was Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief?

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross proposed a model in 1969 that identified five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. There is still debate about the original five stages and their applicability to non-terminal patients.

Divorce stages of grief - 5 common stages

When does each of these phases typically occur?

Denial occurs when a divorce or separation begins when an individual has not yet faced reality. Anger is the most common phase during a divorce, as it can be often felt towards one’s ex-spouse or themselves. Bargaining usually happens once an individual has accepted that the breakup is happening, and they may try to work things out before their divorce finalizes. Depression is a significant part of the grief process and may occur after a couple of months or up to a year after the divorce. Acceptance is when someone has made peace with what has happened, ready to move forward with their life.

Who does this apply to?

The stages of grief can be experienced by anyone going through a divorce. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and each individual grieves differently.

How can this help someone through their divorce?

Understand that everyone grieves differently and give them the space to process what is happening. If you are going through a divorce, it may be helpful to seek out professional support or counseling during this difficult time. Make sure you focus on your own physical and mental health and try not to blame yourself or your ex-spouse. Sometimes, talking about what has happened with a friend may be helpful too.

How long does grief from divorce last?

Divorce grief can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. The grieving process after a divorce is often complicated because there are so many different emotions that can be felt at the same time, such as sadness, anger, betrayal, abandonment, and loneliness. It’s common for people who are going through a divorce to feel like they are losing themselves or that they no longer know who they are.

Many people find it helpful to talk about their feelings with someone they trust, whether that’s a friend, family member, therapist, or support group

Dealing with divorce grief

Dealing with divorce grief is not easy, and the path to healing is often long, winding and full of unexpected curves. The stages of grief that we take into our own hands when we lose a loved one, relationship or phase of life can also be applied through the divorce process. It’s important to know what you’re feeling as you work through your divorce so you can process what is happening to you.

Denial

It may appear impossible at first to believe that your marriage has failed or that your spouse no longer wishes to be with you Many people make statements like “This isn’t real” or even take physical actions to prevent what they are feeling from being true. These are all common ways that people deal with the immediate disbelief of the divorce process.

Anger

This is a widespread phase for many divorcees to go through after finally realising the reality of their situation. Anger is often directed at your ex-spouse or even yourself. It is essential to understand that it is healthy to have these feelings of anger during this phase, but also that it’s not the best time to make any big decisions.

Bargaining

This can be a baffling stage for many people going through their divorce. You may start bargaining with your spouse or with yourself about whether you will stay in your marriage or just try to “work things out”. It’s essential to recognize that this is a normal part of the grieving process as you grieve for your marriage and what it has become and realize that those feelings are not likely to bring about many positive outcomes.

Depression

The next step in the divorce grief process is depression. This can be overwhelming when you realize that your marriage is over. You may feel sad or even cry for no apparent reason, and this stage makes the divorce process more difficult to deal with daily.

Acceptance

The ultimate goal in recovering from a divorce is to get to the point of accepting what has happened and moving forward in your life. This doesn’t happen overnight, and you may go through the previous stages of grief more than once before you can get to this final phase.

Relationships don’t always work out, and sometimes we find ourselves in a relationship that is harming us, or we know has reached its end. When we realize that our marriage is over, it can be a challenging time in our lives. It’s important to know the different stages of grief to work through your divorce process successfully.

Mental health professionals are often sought out by those who need assistance working through their divorce process, but there are also some things that you can do on your own to help ease yourself into each stage of the grief process.

Divorce grief counselling and Divorce grief groups

People going through a divorce can seek divorce grief counseling and support groups. Post-separation is often a difficult time for divorcees. Divorce counselling sessions provide a safe place to talk about issues and process feelings without judgement. It can also help with different stages of grief that people go through.

  1. The stages of grief that people go through when going through the death of a loved one is similar to what people must go through in divorce grief counselling. When someone loses a spouse or partner, they may face sadness and anger before coming to terms with their emotions and moving forward.
  2. Divorce grief counselling is vital for individuals going through a divorce because it can help them process their emotions after the separation. They may come out emotionally stronger, and they will know that it’s okay to move forward.
  3. They are also increasingly widespread because they allow individuals to discuss their feelings. People going through a divorce can talk about issues with people who understand what they are feeling and share similar experiences. Divorce grief counselling groups allow them to move forward with their lives by finding closure, healing after the pain of separation, and knowing that it’s okay to move forward.
  4. Divorce grief counselling and support groups provide the opportunity for people to work through their feelings. Divorcees can get the support they need to process their feelings with the help of a mental health professional and others who have been there.
  5. There are many different emotions that individuals experience when going through a divorce. Divorce grief counselling and support groups provide a safe place for people to process their feelings without judgement, and they can learn how it is possible to move forward with their lives.
  6. Life is full of different stages for individuals in various life situations. When going through a divorce, people can benefit from a mental health professional specialising in their situation and needs. Depressive feelings are common when going through a divorce, but it does get better after time with the support of family, friends, and a therapist. Divorce, anger and bargaining are also common, but they can be dealt with in a safe space. By healing and processing the different stages of grief during divorce counselling sessions and support groups, divorcees become fitter to move on in life.

Divorce grief recovery

Divorce grief recovery involves the entire process of attending divorce counselling and support groups. Divorce grief counselling helps people move through the different stages of grief, which can be helpful for those who are going through a painful separation and individuals who want to learn how to become healthier as an individual or as a couple.

Divorce grief counselling and support group sessions provide people with the opportunity to relieve stress, process their feelings, and heal after separation. When going through a divorce that embroils children or other complicated issues, they may need more extensive help to get through the different stages of grief. Divorce counselling sessions allow people to work toward healthier relationships in the future by moving forward with their lives.

While divorce and its aftermath are complex, there are a few simple ways to cope with the emotions involved in the process. First, make sure you’re present for your children. Second, make sure you are taking care of yourself. Exercise regularly and eat well to keep your body in the best condition possible. And lastly, find some personal time for yourself where you can focus on what makes you happy—whether it’s taking up a new hobby or hanging out with friends.