Without doubt, the breakdown of a relationship (especially where children are involved) will be one of the most stressful times within anyone's life. But as a lone parent the stress doesn't stop once the separation or divorce is finalised. Working and bringing up a family or even just bringing up a family is hard enough when there are 2 parents taking full time responsibility, but when there is just one, the pressure and stress can be enormous.
Stress exists in all our lives to some extent, we cannot remove it entirely, but the important thing is to learn how to recognise when it is too much for you and then how best to deal with it and how to reduce it where possible.
Symptoms of stress overload will vary from one individual to the next, but may include losing your temper over the smallest thing, outbursts of crying, inability to sleep or eat, excessive smoking or drinking, exhaustion, nausea, or just an overwhelming feeling of 'stop the bus I want to get off'.