The word “trauma” derives from the classical Greek meaning “wound” and refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience such as childhood abuse, neglect, abandonment, domestic violence, the sudden loss of a loved one, or other significant life disruptions and losses.

Past trauma can complicate the divorce process through these effects on individuals:

Heightened emotional reactivity: Regulating emotions while feeling extraordinarily sad, anxious, angry, and afraid can impede the ability to focus on required tasks.

Trust issues: Past experiences of betrayal or harm can make it difficult to trust others, including one’s spouse, co-parents, and divorce professionals.

Avoidance behaviors: Reluctance to engage in difficult conversations can hinder effective communication during divorce.

Hypervigilance: A heightened state of awareness can cause experiencing neutral or benign actions as threatening, leading to a dramatic increase in conflict, misunderstanding, miscommunication, and emotional harm.