Emeka Ike: How to deal with the trauma of failed marriage

Nollywood actor Emeka Ike recently opened up about a difficult period in his life that involved battling depression, facing marital problems, and experiencing a decline in his career within the movie industry. During an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Rubbin’ Minds’ with host Hero Daniels, the actor shared the details of his struggles.

One of the main points of discussion was his divorce from Suzanne Emma, which occurred in 2017 after 14 years of marriage. The divorce was granted by a Lagos Island Customary Court, and Emma had accused Ike of constant physical abuse. The actor explained that the subsequent online bullying and social media scrutiny prevented him from publicly addressing these allegations, resulting in significant financial losses for him.

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The impact of these events on Ike’s life was profound. He revealed that he had to close down his secondary school, St. Nicholas College, and also suffered the shutdown of a major investment totaling over N480 million. Ike’s emotional account included vivid descriptions of his family members kneeling before the court in a desperate attempt to save his marriage, but Emma remained steadfast in her decision to proceed with the divorce. This left the actor perplexed and questioning the motivations behind her choice.

Furthermore, Ike hinted at the possibility of external influences, suggesting that his ex-wife may have been coerced or manipulated into ending their marriage by unidentified individuals. The interview shed light on the complex challenges, emotional toll, and intricate circumstances surrounding Emeka Ike’s journey through this tumultuous period in his personal life.

10 ways to deal with the Trauma of Failed Marriage

Allow yourself to grieve: Acknowledge and honor your emotions. It is normal to feel pain, sadness, anger, or confusion after a failed marriage. Permit yourself to grieve the loss.

Seek support from loved ones: Lean on friends and family who can offer understanding, empathy, and a shoulder to lean on. Sharing your feelings with them can alleviate some of the emotional burden.

Consider therapy or counseling: A professional therapist can help you navigate through the emotional aftermath of a failed marriage. Therapy provides a safe space to explore your emotions, gain insight into the situation, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Practice self-care: Take care of both your physical and mental health. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time in nature. Prioritize self-care to rebuild your sense of well-being.

Allow time for healing: Healing is a process that takes time. Be patient with yourself, and don’t rush the healing process. Allow yourself space to heal and discover who you are outside the context of your marriage.

Reflect and learn: Take the opportunity to reflect on your failed marriage and gain valuable insights. Identify patterns or behaviors that contributed to the breakdown and work on personal growth to prevent them from recurring in future relationships.

Establish healthy boundaries: Set clear boundaries with your ex-spouse and establish boundaries to help you regain a sense of control and protect your emotional well-being. This may include limiting communication or seeking professional assistance in establishing custody or financial arrangements.

Focus on the future: Instead of dwelling on the past, shift your focus towards building a brighter future. Set new goals for yourself, whether they are personal, professional, or related to self-improvement.

Find a support group: Consider joining a support group specifically designed for individuals dealing with divorce or a failed marriage. Connecting with others who have experienced similar situations can provide a sense of camaraderie and validation.

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Practice forgiveness: Forgiving your ex-spouse and yourself is a crucial step towards healing. Holding onto anger and resentment only prolongs the pain. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting or condoning, but rather releasing yourself from the emotional burden and allowing yourself to move forward.