KUALA LUMPUR (April 22): The stress and anxiety brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted almost everyone on the planet and it looks like married couples are not spared.

China-based psychologist Huang Jing said her services are now greatly sought after “as the pressures of the disease and enforced isolation strain families and marriages to breaking point”, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

She told the Hong Kong daily that with families being forced to remain home “for months on end”, the situation has put a .“magnifying glass” on relationships.

“More people are under stress under the circumstances. Their anxiety or depression is easily magnified and can hurt their relationship with their partners,” Huang explained.

According to the same report, some Chinese cities were “overwhelmed with divorce appointments”.

In Xian and Shenzhen, divorce appointment slots were fully booked for a month

Divorce lawyer from F&P Law Firm in Guangzhou, Wu Jiezhen, is seeing a similar trend.

He explained that “under such pressure-cooker conditions”, small issues between couples can suddenly “undermine” long-standing relationships.

Wu described those “trivial things” as “playing too much mahjong” and “one spouse giving face masks to a friend of the opposite sex”.

Hang in there folks!

Stay calm. Stay at home. Keep updated on the latest news at www.EdgeProp.my #stayathome #flattenthecurve