Rumors of an impending split between Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon have been swirling around for weeks, all but confirmed when Cannon announced the couple was living separately, but things may have gone from bad to worse. Last week it was reported that Carey's mental health may have caused the couple's rift, and now insiders are saying the disappointing performance of the star's latest album, 'The Elusive Chanteuse' may have triggered a mental breakdown. The good news: A divorce may actually help the situation, as sources are saying the two are getting along better than ever. 

Sources have said that the disappointing sales of the Carey's latest album - it sold barely over 100,000 copies -  hit the singer hard. Friends say she has been handling the failure terribly, often drinking until seven in the morning. It was reported last week that Cannon worried that the star's behavior was negatively affected the couple's three-year-old twins, as feels they have already shown signs of emotional distress from living with her. 

Career disappointment has impacted Carey's mental health in the past. In 2001, the singer was hospitalized for a mental breakdown after her movie 'Glitter' bombed in the box office. At the time, those close to her said the singer was devastated. It was rumored that Carey even attempted suicide, but her publicist denied that there was any truth to that. Naturally, friend are worried that they are now watching history repeat itself. 

There is, however, a glimmer of hope, as insiders say the couple's separation has actually greatly improved their ability to get along. While the two have been fighting constantly in recent months - friends say it got to the point where they couldn't be in the same room - it was reported that on Friday, the two actually shared a peaceful dinner together in Tribeca. Sources say the couple has no intention of getting back together, but they both want the divorce to go as smoothly as possible, for the sake of the children. Could this separation be just what Carey needed to get back on the path toward mental health?