How divorce can affect a man’s health
Jan 9 2017 - Posted by On Behalf of the Lincoln Law Firm, PPLC, in Divorce, Tagged in Divorce, Health
Anybody who has gone through a divorce or separation can attest to the fact that it is a stressful situation, to say the least. It can be emotionally trying, physically draining and mentally exhausting to endure these conditions. According to the Huffington Post, research has revealed, however, that men may bear the brunt of it when it comes to a divorce’s impact on health. Here are a few of the ways it can have an effect on men’s lives.
Mortality rates rise significantly
The study showed that divorce can correlate directly with mortality rates. Men who are either divorced or unmarried may be susceptible to a mortality rate as much as 250 percent higher than men who are married. There are many reasons this mortality rate is so high, but it ultimately indicates what you might already know: divorce is just as bad, if not worse, for men as it is for women.
Drug and alcohol abuse becomes more common
Another statistic that begins to rise in correlation with divorce is men’s abuse of drugs and alcohol. Men who are divorced are far more likely to engage in these and other risky activities after the end of their marriage. If you have encountered impulses similar to these, it is best to seek out a support group to help you navigate the events in a healthy and productive way.
Suicide and depression rates go up
As if the aforementioned effects of divorce were not enough to prove its impact on men, the study also revealed that the rates of suicide and depression spike substantially for men who have been divorced. The suicide rate alone is 39 percent higher after divorce than it is for men who remain married. As with substance abuse issues, a support group can be a meaningful way to combat such problems and maintain your wellbeing throughout the separation.
You become more vulnerable to disease
Diseases such as heart attack, stroke, hypertension and cardiovascular issues may seem an unlikely consequence of divorce, but for men, the correlation is very real. The prevalence of health ailments as small as a cold or as serious as cancer increases significantly after a man is divorced. To minimize such risks, you can invest in your body’s care through exercise, healthy eating and other wellbeing-focused activities.
Divorce is difficult for all parties involved. If you are currently dealing with this stressful process, hiring an attorney may help. Contact one to learn more about your legal rights.
