Because divorce is generally a stressful experience, many people – and courts – fail to notice when a party to a divorce is suffering from mental illness. When an individual is facing the loss of his or her relationship, children, and family home, it is easy to assume that his or her behavior is the product of the divorce battle – not a battle within the mind.
If you are suffering from an abusive marriage or believe your spouse is suffering from a mental health problem, which is the reason behind the abuse, then it is extremely important to report these instances with the police and other authorities while working with a Miami divorce lawyer.
Personality Disorders and High-Conflict Divorce
Personality disorders are responsible for many high-conflict divorces. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 10 percent of the adult population suffers from some type of personality disorder. Visit this site here to learn more about personality disorders.
Individuals with personality disorders suffer from a form of mental illness that affects the way they communicate and interact socially. Sufferers have difficulty with both personal and work relationships. They also tend to lack empathy.
When they encounter a high-stress situation like divorce, their symptoms usually intensify, which can lead to prolonged court battles and sometimes even years of conflict between the parties.
While a Miami divorce lawyer isn’t a psychologist, an experienced attorney will see many divorce cases that also involve evidence of abuse on a spouse or child(ren).
What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder can be very charming, which explains why so many unsuspecting spouses end up married to narcissists. After time, however, this charm is replaced by the disorder’s more common traits, which include self-admiration, jealousy, and a large sense of entitlement, which can also lead to verbal and physical abuse.
Experts also point out that people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder often feel authorized to “punish” others who fail to provide them with the respect and acknowledgement they believe they deserve—ultimately leading to abuse.
So how do you handle a divorce when you’re married to an abusive partner? Some ideas include contacting a family counselor, the authorities, and even a Miami divorce lawyer for help with putting together a parenting plan that is filed with the court at the time of the divorce.
Help for High-Conflict Divorce with a Miami Divorce Lawyer
Mental illness can be a powerful yet scary thing. In fact, many marriages end in divorce due to the presence of verbal and physical abuse.
When a family law matter is complicated by a partner suffering from a mental health issue, many people don’t know where to turn. The courts are not generally equipped to assist families struggling with these issues.
Again, while working with a Miami divorce lawyer is different than working with a psychologist, an attorney can help you in other areas of your divorce.
Visit here to begin working with a knowledgeable attorney. This can mean the difference between a stressful, time-consuming case, and a case that is resolved with minimal conflict and a clear and safer path forward.