Divorce May Make You Sick

Study Finds Divorced and Widowed Adults Have 20 Percent More Chronic Conditions than Married People

(CBS)  Can divorce make you sick?

Yes, according to a new study that finds divorce and widowhood have a lingering, detrimental impact on health -- even after remarriage.

The study, scheduled to be published in the September issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, analyzes data from nearly 9,000 adults nationwide, ages 51 to 61, and finds those who had been divorced or widowed suffered 20 percent more chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer, than individuals who were currently married.

Dr. Catherine Birndorf, associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center told CBS News, "With a divorce or with disruption in a family like that,(it) can lead to depression, anxiety, other kinds of psychological illnesses."

Researchers have known for years that marriage is good for your health, but they've been less clear on how you'll do if you lose your spouse to divorce or death.

The study also suggests that divorce can be so traumatic that not even tying the knot again is enough to reverse the physical and mental toll.

So does this mean spouses should stick together even when the going gets really tough?

Birndorf said, "If someone's in a bad marriage, I would want to try and help them figure out how to make it better. But I wouldn't rule out the idea that it may need to end in divorce versus staying together for the sake of health."

In fact, Dr. Jeff Gardere, a clinical psychologist, said on "The Early Show" Tuesday, if you're in a "toxic" relationship that involves physical or mental abuse or in a relationship where you just can't get along, it's best to get out of it because the health benefits of divorce are much better than staying in a bad situation.

However, if you are thinking of getting a divorce, Gardere said you should have a doctor on hand.

Why?

"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," he said.

The study also showed the benefits of being married versus unmarried, according to Gardere. Men seem to reap the benefits of being married much more than women in terms of emotional and physical health, while women do better financially because of marriage.

Gardere said that's because women tend to tell their husbands to take care of themselves on an ongoing basis, so they take the advice and care for their health.

"Early Show" co-anchor Julie Chen remarked men don't like to be nagged that way.

Gardere responded, "(Men) don't like to be nagged, but I think if you keep pushing them in the right direction, and tell them it is about love and about staying healthy, so that they can have a good marriage and raise their families, that guys after a while tend to listen."

But what about remarrying? Is it worth it?

Gardere says yes.

"We're finding that it is such a trauma to the system being in that divorce or being widowed that it does take years to come back even if you are married, but the advice we seem to be giving is go ahead and remarry because you can get better in time."

[John_Merritt]

'Divorce May Make You Sick'.

Let me tell you what will what will make you sicker: "An Unhappy Marriage with no End in Sight."

Living in a situation that does not breed anything but discontent and an unwilling partner to make it work; is not good for either party. I left what I thought was a very happy marriage, and ended up on the short end of the stick according to people's monetary and quality of life standards; but I have NEVER been happier in my life.

If you walk away from anything and can look back with with fondness and good memories; you are ready for the next stage in your life.

The regrets are what eats at people. They constantly question themselves, and when they don't look deep enough they will question others.

We hold the key to our happiness, and God opens the window so we can get the fresh air we need.

[jaramost]

Thank you for very useful points!

[skeezix06]

I find it distinctly odd that we tell women to get out of abusive relationships; verbally beat up on them when they don't and have various "experts" simultaneously issue reports that state staying in unhappy marriages is a health threat and divorce or death of a spouse is a health threat.

[nogglynig]

What part of "coorelation is not causation" did we forget to learn in high school?

For all we know, the underlying health problems are the stressors that led to divorces. Just because the two are linked - which is all this study finds - doesn't mean that one causes the other.

Yet another horrible science article from the wide-eyed, brain-dead naifs of the modern journalistic world. And you folks wonder why blogs are replacing you...

[RulaAhmed]

Perhaps there is a correlation between divorce and being a difficult person.

Difficult people seem to be destined to be unhappy and suffer from health problems.

Easy going people are less likely to get divorced because they don't let things escalate. They are also more likely to live happy and healthy because of that.

[jaramost]

......rather simplistic......

[lorajeantn]

When I was a child, my dad left my mom for another woman. He had left mentally and emotionally quite some time before he actually moved out, but the whole thing came as a complete surprise to Mom. I remember her going through a number of health problems, especially in the first few years after the divorce. Dad, on the other hand, didn't seem to suffer at all. I wonder if this study applies equally to both parties, or if my dad had an advantage because a) he gave himself time to come to terms with the split before it even happened; and/or b) he was the one who wanted the divorce in the first place. I would be interested to know if both parties in a divorce are affected equally, or if there is a difference between the person who leaves and the person who is left.

[bettmarie]

Marriage can also make you sick! If you're in a bad marriage GET OUT and see how your health improves. Been there, done that!

[caallen57]

I agree with this analysis! I believe the percentage is understated! The percentage is probably much higher than this study presents. Personally, I had two strokes during the time I found out my former spouse wanted a divorce and the divorce was final which was over a four month period. I am a divorce recovery facilitator and have talked with others who have experienced health issues like mine. So, definitely, the stress and anxiety one goes through can or will effect one's physical health as well as mental and spiritual health.