Relationship problems are diverse and they can range from breakups, divorce, feeling trapped in a relationship to physical and emotional abuse. While we have helped people in all of these scenarios, one of the common reasons for people to see us at Private Space Medical is when they are distressed after a breakup or divorce.

Couples break up for a variety of reasons. There could be a third party, differences in values, incompatible personalities, dissatisfaction with intimacy, even emotional or physical abuse.

Sadness after a breakup is normal and many people will experience it in their lives. It can be a very painful and distressing experience. Some people may experience low mood while others become anxious, develop low self-esteem and feel insecure about their future. They may worry about never finding someone who will love them.

At the start, some people experience a loss of identity, as if they no longer know who they are anymore. In a relationship, we pick up and accommodate each other’s likes and dislikes, even food preferences. It is no wonder that we lose a part of our identity when the relationship ends.

There may be days when the longing and yearning becomes overwhelming and they try to reach out to their ex-partners. On other days, there can be intense anger. When they discover that the ex-partner has found a new partner, it can cause intense emotions of anger and sadness and cause them to question the reason for the break-up.

Sometimes, ex-partners may need to remain in contact due to co-parenting or other shared responsibilities. This can result in replays of intense complex emotions. There are other practical challenges eg. financial difficulties if one was financially dependent on the ex-partner. Divorce couples may face each other off in Court for protracted periods to settle disputes – certainly a very stressful process.