From Losing Weight To Stomach Ache: Here Are The Surprising Ways Divorce Could Affect Your Child’s Physical Health

While divorce can feel like it exists solely between your ex-partner and yourself, this difficult legal process can also have severe repercussions for any children involved. As well as experiencing emotional distress, statistics reveal that children from divorced families are twice as likely to drop out of high school. Resulting mental health difficulties are also widely documented, especially once those children hit their teen years. But did you know that children of divorced parents are also 50% more likely to experience physical health conditions?

This is a surprising statistic, and it might feel like another thing to worry about if you’re going through a divorce right now. But knowing about this problem is key to keeping your child as healthy as possible. In this article, we’ll consider how your child’s physical health might suffer, as well as looking at the things you can do to minimize these problems.

Understanding how Divorce Impacts Your Child’s Physical Health

Divorce can impact your child’s physical health in a multitude of ways. Some of these are relatively obvious and largely stem from stress, but others are more surprising. The main health conditions to look out for include –

# 1 – Stress-Related Illnesses

It’s incredibly common for children to experience a range of stress-related illnesses while their parents divorce, especially if they’re subject to a complex separation complete with a court case and contested divorce attorney. The chronic stress that these situations, or divorce in general, can create may lead to a weakened immune system that will generally increase the number of colds and other minor illnesses that your child experiences. Your child may also experience stress-related symptoms, such as an increase in headaches or migraines, as well as periods of nausea or stomachache.

# 2 – Issues with Appetite and Digestion

Speaking of stomach aches, your child’s appetite and digestion may also struggle to cope with the lifestyle changes that divorce brings. It’s certainly not unusual for children locked into this process to either lose or gain weight at unhealthy rates, either of which can lead to secondary health concerns in themselves. Digestive issues are also common during high periods of stress and, as well as resulting in the stomachaches mentioned, can impact how well your child’s body is able to absorb nutrients.

# 3 – Sleep Problems

While some of the health issues your child can experience might surprise you, one that’s probably not a surprise at all is the sleep problems that also go hand-in-hand with a major life change like divorce. Just as you may find it difficult to sleep with all that’s going on, your children may also start to struggle. In fact, children from divorced families are notably more at risk of conditions like insomnia or excessive sleep, either of which can impact cognitive function and general performance.

# 4 – Respiratory Issues

Admittedly, high levels of stress can’t cause your child to develop respiratory issues, but this can be a side-effect of all that’s happening. Children with pre-existing conditions like asthma may particularly experience worsening symptoms or attacks due to their stress-weakened immune system. Children who are experiencing more colds and flus are also at higher risk of developing chest infections and other respiratory side effects.

# 5 – An Increased Risk of Accidents

Children who are distracted by what’s happening at home are also at an increased risk of accidents, which can happen due to general inattention. Trips and falls are especially likely at this time, and can result in everything from cuts to sprains and breaks. Equally, children who are distracted, not sleeping, and highly stressed are more likely to suffer serious injuries from, say, crossing the road without looking.

What can you do?

It’s easy to look at these risks and feel even more despairing about a situation that was already leaving you pretty glum, but this list isn’t here to make you feel bad. Learning about these potential physical effects will actually put you in the best position to help your child. But what can you do? We’ve got some suggestions to help.

1. Look for the signs: Your child might not notice that their physical symptoms relate to your divorce, and, even if they do, they may simply not want to add to your worry. So, look out for symptoms of health issues like these, and approach your child about your concerns rather than waiting for them to come to you.
2. Always have open conversations: You may want to hide certain elements of your divorce from your children, but secrecy can worsen the stress they experience, and may also stop them from telling you how they’re feeling. Talking to children about divorce makes it less likely that they’ll internalize the stress that can lead to these health issues. It also opens a two-way conversation to ensure that they can tell you their concerns or worries, and thus reduce the physical impact of those emotions overall.
3. Develop coping mechanisms together: Coping mechanisms, including stress-reducing options like yoga and meditation, can be beneficial for both you and your child at this time, so regularly engaging in these together is undeniably worthwhile. As well as ensuring you’re still sharing plenty of quality time, these practices will naturally help your bodies and minds to heal and rejuvenate.
4. Get your child help: There will also be times when your child requires a more professional helping hand. For instance, if you’ve noticed they’re experiencing more minor illnesses or losing weight and sleep, visiting a doctor is key to getting them back on track. Equally, seeking a therapist or other professional third-party for them to speak to can help them to air and work through concerns they might not feel comfortable sharing with you.

Divorce is a devastating process, and thinking that it could cause your child physical, as well as emotional, harm is never pleasant. However, knowing the risks and taking steps to actively reduce their impact is the best thing you can do for a happy family, even at a difficult time.