Life events Digwyddiadau bywyd

Expected life events are those we can predict will happen, so they will not come as a surprise to the individual. Regardless of whether or not they are expected, they can have a positive or negative impact on the individual’s well-being, depending on the type of event.

Expected life events

Living with a partner/marriage or civil partnership – whilst this can be a very happy time as two people commit to one another and begin their lives together, the reality of getting used to living with another individual can also cause stress. Differences in attitudes towards finances and housework are just two of the issues that may arise.
Having children – this is a longed for event for many individuals and can be a time of great joy. Problems with fertility can have a negative impact on a couple as they try to start a family. Once children arrive, whilst they may complete the family and bring the parents happiness and contentment, they can also be a cause of stress. Money worries are common as families live on a reduced income if a parent takes time off work to look after the child. Lack of sleep can also make parents irritable, leading to possible issues with each other and issues at work due to difficulty concentrating.
Birth of a sibling – this can bring great joy to children as they welcome a new sibling into the family. It can also be a time of negative feelings of neglect as parents won’t have the same time to devote to the older child. This can lead the child to resent the new baby and they may act up to get attention, leading to a stressful situation for both the parents and the child.
Puberty – this is a major milestone in a teenager’s life. Their body will change and they may feel insecure about their new looks or shape. This can lead to self-image issues as the individual tries to fit in with their idealised image of how a young person should look. In some cases, this can potentially lead to eating disorders.
Menopause – whilst all women expect this to happen once they reach a certain age, many may be unprepared for the symptoms their fluctuating hormone levels will cause. In addition to hot sweats, many women also suffer with low mood and anxiety, which can be difficult for those around them to understand. Menopause can also affect a woman’s feeling of self-worth and self-image as they come to terms with the fact their child-bearing years are over.
Starting nursery/school/college/university – this is a nervous time for individuals as they wonder whether they will make friends and fit in. A positive start to the new routine can have a positive impact on the individual, giving them the confidence to strive for success if they feel they are supported by those around them. However, if an individual struggles to form a social circle, they can feel isolated and this will affect their well-being.
Leaving nursery/school/college/university – this can be a time of optimism for the individual, as they look forward to moving on to the next stage of their life. However, it can also cause feelings of anxiety as they consider the possible loss of friendship groups, and the daunting prospect of having to build new relationships along with settling in to a new environment.
Starting work – most individuals will be nervous about starting a new job. They may be concerned about meeting new people and not understanding the processes when everyone around them does. However, starting a new job can also have a positive impact on an individual’s self-worth and self-esteem. The salary may also help ease the stress of possible money worries.
Retirement – many individuals may look forward to retirement and being able to focus on their hobbies or their family. The lack of work-based stress may have a positive impact on an individual’s emotional well-being. Even if an individual looks forward to retirement, they may still struggle at first with the lack of routine, and experience feelings of isolation and loneliness once they are no longer part of a work-based social circle.
Moving home – this can lead to feelings of excitement and achievement as an individual moves into their new home. It can provide feelings of security and comfort. However, a greater financial commitment may lead to feelings of stress.

Unexpected life events

Death of a partner/friend (bereavement) – the loss of a loved one leads to a series of complex emotions an individual may struggle to understand, such as feelings of anger. It’s important for an individual’s well-being to understand and accept each stage of grief. Many individuals will feel a sense of isolation as they feel less inclined to socialise. It can also cause stress if the death of a partner brings money worries. Being unable to sleep or eat can have a negative impact on an individual’s physical and mental well-being too.
Redundancy – this can cause stress as an individual worries about how they will pay their bills or support their family. The stress can lead to sleep deprivation and a loss of appetite. High levels of stress over a long period of time can cause serious health problems including heart attack. It can also cause an individual to make unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs or over-eating. Redundancy can also impact an individual’s self-worth when they feel they are no longer useful or productive.
Serious accident or illness – these events can lead the body to produce stress hormones which can lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased sweating and a loss of appetite at a time when the body needs nutrition to help the healing process. These feelings are normal, but if they continue for a long period of time, they may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. In this case, the individual would need to seek professional help.
Acquired disability – this can lead to depression as an individual comes to terms with no longer being able bodied. Depending on the severity of the disability, it may lead to feelings of hopelessness and defeat. Some individuals may even consider taking their own life. It’s important that these individuals receive professional help for their mental well-being, in addition to the medical support they will be receiving.
Divorce – a sense of failure is common among couples whose marriages end in divorce. Individuals can also feel overwhelming anger towards their ex-partner, and feelings of isolation as mutual friends take sides, leading to partners having to rethink their social interactions. Individuals experiencing divorce will feel similar emotions to a bereaved individual, as they mourn the loss of their past life. Money worries can also lead to anxiety, and arguments over access to children can cause depression. For some individuals, divorce can also bring a sense of relief and freedom, particularly if the relationship was abusive.
Moving into residential care – elderly individuals may experience anxiety and possibly anger at the thought of losing their independence. If the individual lived alone, the move to a care home could have a positive impact on their well-being as their meals will be cooked for them and their medical needs will be supported. They will also develop new social connections with other residents in the home, reducing feelings of loneliness and creating a sense of belonging.

Digwyddiadau disgwyliedig bywyd yw’r rhai y gallwn ni eu rhagweld, felly fyddan nhw ddim yn synnu’r unigolyn. Yn dibynnu ar y math o ddigwyddiad, gall naill ai gael effaith gadarnhaol neu negyddol ar lesiant unigolyn, ni waeth a yw’n ddisgwyliedig ai peidio.

Digwyddiadau disgwyliedig bywyd

Byw gyda phartner/priodas neu bartneriaeth sifil – er y gall hwn fod yn gyfnod hapus iawn wrth i ddau berson ymrwymo i’w gilydd a dechrau eu bywydau gyda’i gilydd, gall y realiti o ddod i arfer â byw gydag unigolyn arall achosi straen hefyd. Mae gwahaniaethau o ran agwedd at arian a gwaith tŷ yn enghreifftiau o’r problemau a allai godi.
Cael plant – dyma ddigwyddiad mae llawer o unigolion yn awchu amdano, a gallai fod yn gyfnod o lawenydd mawr. Gall problemau ffrwythlondeb gael effaith negyddol ar gwpl wrth iddyn nhw geisio dechrau teulu. Er y gallai plant wneud i deulu deimlo’n gyflawn, ac arwain at rieni hapus a bodlon, gallan nhw hefyd achosi straen. Mae pryderon ariannol yn gyffredin oherwydd bydd teuluoedd yn byw ar incwm is os bydd rhiant yn cael amser o’r gwaith i ofalu am blentyn. Gall diffyg cwsg wneud rhieni’n flin hefyd, gan arwain at broblemau posibl gyda’i gilydd a phroblemau yn y gwaith oherwydd diffyg canolbwyntio.
Genedigaeth brawd neu chwaer – gall hyn ddod â llawenydd mawr i blant wrth iddyn nhw groesawu brawd neu chwaer newydd i’r teulu. Gall hefyd fod yn gyfnod o ymdopi â theimladau negyddol o esgeulustod gan na fydd gan rieni yr un faint o amser i’w dreulio gyda’r plentyn hŷn. Gallai hyn achosi i’r plentyn ddigio yn erbyn y baban newydd, ac efallai bydd yn camymddwyn er mwyn cael sylw, gan arwain at sefyllfa anodd i’r rhieni ac i’r plentyn.
Glasoed – dyma garreg filltir bwysig ym mywyd person yn ei arddegau. Bydd ei gorff yn newid ac efallai y bydd yn teimlo’n ansicr ynghylch ei ymddangosiad neu ei siâp newydd. Gall hyn arwain at broblemau hunanddelwedd wrth i’r unigolyn geisio efelychu ei ddelwedd ddelfrydol o sut dylai person ifanc edrych. Mewn rhai achosion, gallai hyn arwain at anhwylderau bwyta.
Y menopos – er bod pob menyw yn disgwyl i hyn ddigwydd ar ôl cyrraedd oedran penodol, efallai na fydd llawer yn barod am y symptomau fydd yn cael eu hachos gan eu lefelau hormonau anwadal. Yn ogystal â chwys poeth, mae llawer o fenywod yn dioddef o hwyliau isel a gorbryder hefyd, sy’n gallu bod yn anodd i’r rhai o’u hamgylch ei ddeall. Gall y menopos hefyd effeithio ar deimladau menyw o hunan-werth a hunanddelwedd, wrth iddi ddygymod â’r ffaith na fydd hi’n gallu cael plant bellach.
Dechrau mewn meithrinfa/ysgol/coleg/prifysgol – mae hwn yn gyfnod o nerfusrwydd i unigolion, wrth iddyn nhw boeni a fyddan nhw’n gwneud ffrindiau a chyd-dynnu â phawb arall. Gall dechrau cadarnhaol i’r drefn newydd gael effaith gadarnhaol ar yr unigolyn, gan roi’r hyder iddo ymdrechu i lwyddo os yw’n teimlo bod y rhai o’i amgylch yn ei gefnogi. Fodd bynnag, os bydd unigolyn yn cael trafferth ffurfio cylch cymdeithasol, gallai deimlo’n ynysig a bydd hyn yn cael effaith ar ei lesiant.
Gadael meithrinfa/ysgol/coleg/prifysgol – gall hwn fod yn gyfnod o optimistiaeth i unigolyn, wrth iddo edrych ymlaen at symud i’r cam nesaf yn ei fywyd. Fodd bynnag, gall hefyd achosi teimladau o orbryder wrth iddo ystyried y posibilrwydd o golli grwpiau ffrindiau, a gorfod meithrin perthnasoedd newydd a dod i arfer ag amgylchedd newydd, sy’n gallu bod yn frawychus.
Dechrau gwaith – bydd y rhan fwyaf o unigolion yn teimlo’n nerfus ynglŷn â dechrau swydd newydd. Efallai byddan nhw’n poeni am gwrdd â phobl newydd, neu am beidio â deall y prosesau pan fydd pawb o’u hamgylch yn eu deall yn barod. Fodd bynnag, gall dechrau swydd newydd gael effaith gadarnhaol ar hunan-werth a hunan-barch unigolyn hefyd, a gallai’r cyflog helpu i leihau straen sy’n deillio o bryderon ariannol posibl.
Ymddeoliad – mae’n bosibl bod llawer o unigolion yn edrych ymlaen at ymddeol a gallu canolbwyntio ar eu diddordebau neu eu teulu. Gallai’r diffyg straen gwaith gael effaith gadarnhaol ar eu llesiant emosiynol. Hyd yn oed os yw unigolyn yn edrych ymlaen at ymddeol, mae’n bosibl y bydd yn cael trafferth dod i arfer â’r diffyg trefn i ddechrau, ac efallai bydd yn teimlo’n ynysig ac yn unig gan nad yw’n rhan o gylch cymdeithasol ei gydweithwyr mwyach.
Symud tŷ – gall hyn arwain at deimladau o gyffro a chyflawniad wrth i unigolyn symud i’w gartref newydd. Gallai arwain at deimladau o ddiogelwch a chysur. Fodd bynnag, gall mwy o ymrwymiad ariannol arwain at deimladau o straen.

Digwyddiadau annisgwyl bywyd

Marwolaeth partner/cyfaill (profedigaeth) – mae colli anwyliaid yn arwain at gyfres o emosiynau cymhleth sy’n gallu bod yn anodd eu deall, fel dicter. Er lles llesiant unigolyn, mae’n bwysig ei fod yn deall ac yn derbyn pob un o’r camau galaru. Bydd llawer o unigolion yn teimlo’n ynysig, ac yn teimlo’n llai awyddus i gymdeithasu. Os bydd marwolaeth partner yn achosi pryderon ariannol, gall hyn achosi straen hefyd. Gall methu cysgu na bwyta gael effaith negyddol ar lesiant corfforol a meddyliol unigolyn hefyd.
Colli swydd – gall hyn achosi straen wrth i unigolyn boeni sut bydd yn talu ei filiau neu’n cefnogi ei deulu. Gall y straen arwain at ddiffyg cwsg a cholli chwant bwyd. Gall lefelau uchel o straen dros gyfnod hir o amser achosi problemau iechyd difrifol, gan gynnwys trawiad ar y galon. Gall hefyd achosi i unigolyn wneud dewisiadau ffordd o fyw gwael, fel ysmygu, yfed alcohol, cymryd cyffuriau neu orfwyta. Gall colli swydd effeithio ar hunan-werth unigolyn hefyd, os nad yw’n teimlo’n ddefnyddiol nac yn gynhyrchiol mwyach.
Afiechyd neu ddamwain ddifrifol – gall y digwyddiadau hyn achosi i’r corff gynhyrchu hormonau straen sy’n gallu arwain at bwysedd gwaed uchel, cyfradd curiad y galon uwch, mwy o chwysu a cholli chwant bwyd ar adeg pan fo angen maeth ar y corff i helpu’r broses iacháu. Mae’r teimladau hyn yn normal, ond os byddan nhw’n parhau am gyfnod hir, gallan nhw arwain at anhwylder pryder ôl-drawmatig. Yn yr achos hwn, byddai angen i’r unigolyn geisio cymorth proffesiynol.
Anabledd caffaeledig – gall hyn arwain at iselder wrth i unigolyn geisio dygymod â chorff sydd bellach yn anabl. Yn dibynnu ar ddifrifoldeb yr anabledd, gallai arwain at deimladau o anobaith a digalondid. Efallai y bydd rhai unigolion yn ystyried lladd eu hunain hyd yn oed. Mae’n bwysig bod yr unigolion hyn yn cael cymorth proffesiynol ar gyfer eu llesiant meddyliol, yn ogystal â’r gefnogaeth feddygol y byddan nhw’n ei chael.
Ysgariad – mae teimlo eu bod wedi methu yn gyffredin ymhlith cyplau y mae eu priodas yn dod i ben mewn ysgariad. Gall unigolyn hefyd deimlo dicter llethol tuag at ei gyn-bartner, a theimlo’n ynysig wrth i ffrindiau cyffredin ddewis ochr, gan orfodi partneriaid i ailystyried eu rhyngweithiadau cymdeithasol. Bydd unigolyn sy’n ysgaru yn teimlo emosiynau tebyg i unigolyn sydd wedi cael profedigaeth, wrth iddo alaru am ei hen fywyd. Gall pryderon ariannol hefyd arwain at orbryder, a gall dadleuon ynghylch trefniadau mynediad at y plant achosi iselder. I rai unigolion, gall ysgaru achosi teimlad o ryddhad a rhyddid hefyd, yn enwedig os oedden nhw’n cael eu cam-drin yn y berthynas.
Symud i ofal preswyl – gallai meddwl am golli ei annibyniaeth wneud i unigolyn oedrannus deimlo’n orbryderus neu hyd yn oed yn ddig. Ond, os oedd yr unigolyn yn byw ar ei ben ei hun, gallai symud i gartref gofal gael effaith gadarnhaol ar ei lesiant. Bydd prydau bwyd yn cael eu coginio ar ei gyfer a bydd ei anghenion meddygol yn cael eu cefnogi. Bydd hefyd yn datblygu cysylltiadau cymdeithasol newydd gyda thrigolion eraill y cartref, gan leihau teimladau o unigrwydd a chreu teimlad o berthyn.

Early Intervention Ymyriad Cynnar
Circumstances Amgylchiadau

Life events Digwyddiadau bywyd

Expected life events

Unexpected life events

Digwyddiadau disgwyliedig bywyd

Digwyddiadau annisgwyl bywyd

Retirement

Ymddeoliad

Divorce

Ysgariad

Pregnancy

Beichiogrwydd

Marriage

Priodi

Bereavement

Profedigaeth

Acquired disability

Anabledd caffaeledig

Moving home

Symud tŷ