The Impact of Estrangement on Mental Health

Posted: November 25, 2024

Have you limited your communication and interactions with a family member, or stopped them entirely? If so, you’re not alone. According to statistics published by Psychology Today, over 25% of the U.S. population is currently estranged from a family member, and more than 43% have experienced family estrangement at some point during their lives.

In many cases, estrangement is necessary, such as when neglect and abuse have occurred. Many families also become estranged after divorce, incarceration, illness, or death, or due to conflicts about religion, partners, and lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, even if you feel that it’s important to cut off contact with a family member, estrangement can still take a toll on your mental health. For example, estrangement can often lead to:

Anxiety
Depression
Difficulty self-regulating
Feelings of rejection
Grief
Loneliness
Reduced self-esteem
Stress
Trust issues

Although estrangement can result from a singular event, it often develops over time. Family members may separate, reconcile, and then repeat that cycle over and over again. When this happens, the resulting lack of closure can also impact the involved parties’ mental health.

Speak to a Therapist

Estrangement can take quite a toll on our lives, so if you’re currently estranged from a parent, a sibling, a child, or another loved one, it’s important that you receive support and guidance. Our Christian counselors can pray with you and explore scriptural principles that will serve as a guiding light for your care.