When spouses are in the middle of a divorce, there are a million things going through their minds. How can I afford this? What will happen with my children? Where will I live? While tackling these complex issues, it can be easy to overlook the physical and mental health of both divorcing spouses, their children, and other family members. The good news is that mental health diagnoses, treatments, and overall care have never been better than they are right now.
With this in mind, our divorce attorneys will identify common mental health issues which can arise during divorce, methods by which these issues can be treated, and discuss how pre-existing mental health conditions may have an impact on NJ divorce proceedings.
Common Mental Health Issues Experienced During Divorce in Morris County, NJ
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 16.1 million adults suffer from major depressive disorder while a staggering 40 million suffer from an anxiety disorder in the United States. Adjusting for changes in population, this accounts for nearly 25 percent of all adults aged 18 and older. It should come as no surprise then that our Morris County attorneys have seen large numbers of clients go through battles with anxiety, depression, and much more during divorce.
While anxiety and depression are the most common mental conditions facing Americans, stressful situations can exacerbate pre-existing conditions for individuals suffering from a wide range of illnesses. These can include PTSD, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), agoraphobia, and much more.
Mental Health Treatment Options for Divorcing Spouses and Children: Mendham, NJ Divorce Lawyers
In many cases and for many individuals, mental health issues are unavoidable. However, most conditions have effective treatments which can lessen or eliminate both the short term and long term impacts for victims. The first step in this process is recognizing that there may be a health issue and seeking professional help. It is important to remember that divorce affects entire families. Check in with your children and other loved ones during this time to see if they may be having difficulties as well.
Treatment options vary widely depending on the nature of the condition and the preference of the patent. For example, anxiety disorders, the most commonly diagnosed mental health condition in the world, can be treated by any and all of the following methods:
- Medications such as Xanax, Klonopin, Zoloft, Prozac, and more
- Therapy sessions with qualified psychotherapists or other professionals
- Hypnosis
- Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping)
- Relaxation techniques
- Regular exercise
- Change in diet/supplementation
- Much more
Can a Mental Health Issue Impact my Divorce Proceedings? Harding Health and Divorce Attorneys
Pre-existing mental health issues will not necessarily play a role in determining the outcome of your divorce, but each case is unique. Your Harding mental health and divorce attorney might see an impact on divorce proceedings in the following situations:
A mental illness is severe – right off the bat we have an issue which is hard to define. What is considered severe? For the sake of this conversation, “severe” will mean that the individual requires inpatient treatment or is unable to perform basic human tasks due to mental illness. Being institutionalized for mental illness may actually be a viable grounds for divorce in New Jersey.
Mental illness may have an impact on ability to parent – child custody is determined based on the best interests of the child. If a co-parent is unable to provide for the child due to a mental illness, that may become a factor.
Mental condition casts doubt on credibility – many divorce involve depositions, interrogatories, and other questions which need answers on the record. It may be possible that certain mental conditions may cast a shadow of a doubt on the validity of certain individual’s testimony.
Contact our Morristown Mental Health and Divorce Attorneys Today
At Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, our family law attorneys see our clients as more than just legal problems to solve, but as the complex human beings they are. Divorce and other family law disputes frequently raise the stress levels of our clients, which can lead to serious mental health issues. We believe in taking a two pronged approach: 1. try to mitigate the stresses of divorce to avoid issues altogether and 2. offer help finding treatment should complications arise. In this way, we believe in offering personalized service to our clients and their families across Morris County communities including Chester, Morristown, Chatham, Mendham, Harding, Morris Township, and all of Northern New Jersey.
For a free and confidential consultation regarding your divorce and any related questions or concerns, please contact us online or call our Morristown, NJ office today by dialing (973) 840-8970.
