It’s natural to feel down after a divorce—especially a difficult one. Post-divorce stress is pervasive, with some estimates finding that up to a quarter of people experience significant depression. This is a major life change whose outcome (financial, practical, familial) will continue long after the ink has dried on the papers.

What’s very important is that while divorce is difficult under even the best circumstances, there is a difference between feeling down about it—the “blues”—and chronic depression. Neglecting family, friends, work commitments and withdrawing from one’s social atmosphere for months is a serious problem. Help is available, and you don’t have to go it alone.