posted by Michele Olson
Ever heard someone embroiled in a divorce utter “I’m sick of this divorce!”
According to a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, and reported on the CBS News, those who have been divorced or widowed can suffer 20% more chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer, compared to those who are currently married.
Double whammy….having a challenging time emotionally and physically.
Another interesting finding of the extensive study. Divorce can be so traumatic that even when you get married again, it may not be enough to reverse the physical and mental toll on your body.
The recommendations of interviewed psychiatrists for the TV piece fall in line with what we at thinkmarriage.org advocate. Relationships that involve physical or mental abuse…often leading to the fact it is impossible to get along…are worth dissolving. However for the 70% of divorces considered low conflict; the effort to stay together and work on your marriage through things like skills based marriage education are worth it.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere goes as far as recommending that you have a doctor on hand if you are getting a divorce. He states in the interview:
“We’re finding that divorce is so traumatic on the system, on your mind, on your body, that it’s important that you consult your physician or even talk to a mental health professional about the stress that you’re going through so that you don’t become sick.” An amazing statement from Dr. Gardere.
The bottom line is: men in marriages have wives telling them to take care of themselves and go to the doctor. That adds to them being healthier. The news piece does advise remarriage because things do get better over time.
What are your thoughts? Does the data match up to your experience or the experience of someone you know?
According to a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, and reported on the CBS News, those who have been divorced or widowed can suffer 20% more chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer, compared to those who are currently married.
Double whammy….having a challenging time emotionally and physically.
Another interesting finding of the extensive study. Divorce can be so traumatic that even when you get married again, it may not be enough to reverse the physical and mental toll on your body.
The recommendations of interviewed psychiatrists for the TV piece fall in line with what we at thinkmarriage.org advocate. Relationships that involve physical or mental abuse…often leading to the fact it is impossible to get along…are worth dissolving. However for the 70% of divorces considered low conflict; the effort to stay together and work on your marriage through things like skills based marriage education are worth it.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere goes as far as recommending that you have a doctor on hand if you are getting a divorce. He states in the interview:
“We’re finding that divorce is so traumatic on the system, on your mind, on your body, that it’s important that you consult your physician or even talk to a mental health professional about the stress that you’re going through so that you don’t become sick.” An amazing statement from Dr. Gardere.
The bottom line is: men in marriages have wives telling them to take care of themselves and go to the doctor. That adds to them being healthier. The news piece does advise remarriage because things do get better over time.
What are your thoughts? Does the data match up to your experience or the experience of someone you know?
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