Hello everybody. Today I have a rather interesting blog post for you, and it comes from the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Basically, it says that if you’re in a high-stress relationship, it can kill you!
This study found that the nagging in a high-conflict relationship increases the risk of premature death, mainly in men. This 11-year study found that men were more than twice as likely to die, often due to stress-related diseases.
The question is, why does this affect men more than women? The study found since men typically rely on their partners as their sole confidant, they are less likely to share there worries with others, meaning when their wife or girlfriend is the source of the conflict, and since men typically have smaller social networks, they have fewer places to turn for emotional support, leading to higher levels of certain stress hormones like cortisol and ultimately leading to stress related health issues.
To add, this study found that the chronic stress from arguments and other demands can cause cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, and cause the gentleman’s immune system to weaken. To take it a step further, unemployed men and those living in high-stress (high-nagging) environments are at the highest risk.
To offer a solution to this very concerning issue, I would suggest that the gentleman seek out counseling or therapy, where medications could be prescribed to decrease their stress. I would also suggest that he build a broader social network so he can spend time with real friends and learn to enjoy life. And unfortunately, if the stress and nagging get that bad, he may have to get away from her, to save his life.
Please feel free to leave a comment below and share your thoughts. Thank you for reading, Dr. Nick.