Troubled Marriages Can Be Additional Casualties of Hurricanes
Birmingham, AL (PRWEB) October 3, 2005
Stress caused by the recent hurricanes Katrina and Rita could push some shaky marriages into abrupt divorce, according to Nancy Wasson, Ph.D. Spouses in shaky marriages prior to the hurricanes who then experienced the trauma of losing their homes and jobs may now be in danger of losing their marriages.
Dr. Wasson is a licensed professional counselor and co-author of the book “Keep Your Marriage: What to Do when Your Spouse Says ‘I don’t love you anymore!'” According to Dr. Wasson, when individuals have experienced major trauma and are still struggling to absorb and integrate what has happened, they need to postpone any optional life-changing decisions.
“It’s similar to the advice given to spouses whose mates have recently died, because the hurricanes likewise have been very traumatic,” states Wasson. “It’s best not to make any big decisions for two years following the partner’s death or any major life-changing upset. That’s the same advice I would give spouses in troubled marriages impacted by the recent natural disasters. Wait at least one year, preferably two, to give yourself and your spouse time to regroup, adjust to the changes, and work on the marriage.”
Dr. Wasson cautions that some spouses may make a premature decision to divorce because they want to end the anxiety and stress of not knowing how things will turn out. It can be tempting to make a fast decision thinking this will bring closure to the unresolved marital situation. But this can be a tragic mistake, she asserts.
A marriage that was unraveling before hurricanes Katrina and Rita needs ample doses of time, space, and professional help to recover a sense of equilibrium before an important decision such as whether to divorce or not can be made. It’s important for spouses not to bolt from a shaky marriage before they have a chance to work with a therapist and explore the problems and options.
“When an individual is depressed or overwhelmed, the resulting despair, discouragement, and hopelessness can color the person’s feelings about everything — especially a rocky marriage. But things are seldom as bleak as they appear at that time, and it’s a mistake to just throw a marriage away without at least trying marriage counseling first,” states Dr. Wasson.
Wasson coaches couples in troubled marriages and publishes a free marriage tips newsletter at http://www.KeepYourMarriage.com.
About Nancy Wasson:
Nancy Wasson, Ph.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than two decades of experience in working with individuals, couples and families.
Contact:
Lee Hefner, President
Adesso Press
205-989-7770
http://www.KeepYourMarriage.com
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