Divorce: a fact in your practice.

Although the divorce rate has risen dramatically, marriage is still the lifestyle of the majority of adults. Divorce disrupts one's identity, economic and emotional dependancy and disturbs primary relationships with family of origin, children, friends and colleagues. Physicians may have trouble adjusting to new circumstances in their patients' lives. Serious emotional adjustments are necessary in resuming the status of being single. The physician can help by focusing on the support system, by emphasizing that the turmoil of adjustment is normal and by helping set realistic goals. Studies show that suicidal and even homicidal behavior is present in a significant percentage of divorcing spouses.