Divorce & Mediation Services in New Orleans: Divorce and the Stages of Grief

divorce services new orleans

Divorce and mediation services in New Orleans can assist with divorces. Statistics reveal that almost 50% of marriages end in divorce. How do you know when you marriage is over?

Sometimes people divorce because they grow apart. After the kids grow up some couples find they have little in common. Younger people often find that because of their youth they had a great deal of personal development yet to accomplish. When this happens, the decision to divorce is often mutual. Divorce and mediation services in New Orleans can assist you after you have made the decision to part.

Other reasons for divorce are sexual incompatibility, endless fighting and lack of respect.

Once the need for a divorce has been decided, there is a great emotional price to pay. The emotional aspects of divorce has are very similar to grief experienced at death of a loved one. As with the stages of grief in death, the stages of grief in divorce do not move in a straight line. Going to a divorce and mediation service only reinforces the feeling of disbelief.

The first reaction to divorce is denial. The natural reaction is disbelief that this is happening. A host of emotions sweeps over you. It's common to feel you are going crazy. The denial is even worse when you did not want the divorce. Unfortunately, unless you face the reality of your divorce you will be stuck in this emotional reaction.

After denial comes shock. Shock is defined as a violent collision, impact or heavy blow. Shock can cause a variety of sensations such as confusion, numbness and short-term memory loss. There is an inability to think and perform both at home and at work. There is a sense of unreality.

Next comes anger and the anger can be intense. Divorce can invoke feelings of helplessness that fuel an individual's anger. With the rage comes a feeling that life itself has betrayed you. There are many fears behind the anger such as how to survive financially and emotionally.

Bargaining is a common stage in divorce. You can bargain with God or bargain with your spouse, but somehow, something can be done to stop the divorce. You are willing to do whatever it takes to save the marriage. You think you can stop the divorce and mediation services events that have begun to make the divorce all too real. Gradually you become aware that nothing is going to bring back your marriage.

After the anger and the bargaining comes a feeling of guilt. There is often a sense that you didn't do enough to prevent the separation. You may think about ways in which you could have made your partner happier.

After the guilt comes depression. Depression is a chronic, incapacitating sadness.

Eventually you experience acceptance and hope. Although life may have changed in ways never desired, it does go on and perhaps happiness will once again come your way. There is the old say, “one door never closes but another opens.”