Recently in the news, Robert Herjavec, the multimillionaire tech mogul and entrepreneur on Shark Tank (and now Dancing With the Stars on #TeamSharkaroo) stated that he had felt suicidal after his marriage of 24 years was ending. What Robert Herjavec experienced during his divorce changed his world so much that at one point he didn’t see a future for himself in that moment.
In many cases, divorce can cause severe distress and even lead to thoughts of suicide, as was the case in Herjavec’s divorce. Here is a list of possible traumatic symptoms that one might experience going through a divorce:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Feeling constantly on-guard
- Over-react to noises or other environmental cues that didn’t bother you before
- Feeling irritable, angry and experience outbursts
- Nightmares
- Recurrent and intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event
- Experience intense psychological distress and/or physiological arousal when exposed to (internal or external) stimuli that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event
- Experience flashbacks (suddenly feeling as though the event is happening in the present)
- Attempt to avoid thoughts or feelings associated with the traumatic event
- Attempt to avoid activities or situations that evoke memories of the traumatic event
- Feel detached or estranged from others and your daily life
- Sense you’re unable to feel as you once did; you feel numb or spaced out, unable to care or to love
- Feel less interest and pleasure in activities
Herjavec’s story shows that we are all vulnerable to things happening in our lives that can make us feel “shaky” and out of control, a reminder that regardless of how much money or success one has, painful events can happen where even money can’t take the pain away.
Robert Herjavec is a person with many resources. Fortunately, he found his way through some of his pain by volunteering at a shelter, by giving his time. Seeing and helping others in need, helped him find his footing in the world again.
For those that might be experiencing trauma as a result of divorce, it may be helpful to find resources among family, friends, or community groups. Speaking to a professionally licensed counselor or therapist is also highly recommended, like a state licensed counselor or marriage counselor that has been training in healing trauma using EMDR Therapy. Here are some other resources if you would to learn more about suicide prevention, mental health, or EMDR Therapy:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Call Toll Free: 1 (800) 273-8255
- Website: SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
- ChangeDirection.org
- EMDRIA.org
- EMDR Therapist Directory
[Image Sources: PublicDomainPictures (Pixabay – Creative Commons CC0) and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline wikimedia.org – Creative Commons CC0)