Health implications of a gray divorce

For individuals in Connecticut and elsewhere who are going through a gray divorce, the psychological and physical health impacts can be major, especially if they had previous health problems. However, these health impacts should be considered since divorce rates for those who are 50 years of age or older have nearly doubled since 1990.

In some cases, people who get a divorce after the age of 50 may experience psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety and chronic stress. Individuals who were in abusive relationships may even endure post-traumatic stress disorder, which can cause symptoms such as nightmares or flashbacks. Furthermore, psychological conditions can be linked to physical problems. Chronic stress, for example, can be linked to heart disease, insomnia and high blood pressure.

One of the biggest health concerns that older individuals going through a gray divorce should look out for is isolation. This can lead to a lack of socialization, which can contribute to greater mental health decline and result in early death. Those who are experiencing depression and other mental health issues should attempt to socialize and stay in contact with their friends and family. If close relatives or acquaintances are not available, adopting a pet and expanding one’s social network by joining a club may help ward off isolation.

Those who were married for decades may find going through a divorce a bit more difficult as they may have a lifetime of assets that will need to be divided. On top of this, a lengthy divorce proceeding could cause family members to become divided, potentially leaving one person more isolated than the other. A family law attorney may assist with helping a person divide up assets, such as retirement funds, while attempting to keep the divorce as amicable as possible. In some cases, this may mean going through mediation instead of litigation.