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Can the stress of going through divorce lead to poor decisions?

On Behalf of | Feb 16, 2023 | Divorce |

One thing concerning divorce that most agree on is that they cannot wait until it is over. As one of the most stressful life events a person can withstand, it is natural to wish for a speedy end.

Did you know that stress can affect your decision-making skills? According to research, the impact of stress could alter brain chemistry and lead to unwise decisions. When divorcing, your choices will substantially affect your future, so it is vital to make goal-oriented decisions.

Scientific support

According to one source, stressful situations compromise the ability to make new decisions and adapt your choices to your present situation. When stressed, the study subjects consistently made habit-based decisions instead of new ones to address a pre-specified goal.

In a different study conducted by MIT neuroscientists, researchers discovered that chronic stress leads to riskier decision-making in lab rodents. People are not mice and rats, but we share many genetic traits, making rodents ideal test subjects.

The animals were given many opportunities to choose between a low-risk activity with a small reward and a high-risk activity with a greater reward. At normal stress levels, the rodents preferred the low-risk, low-reward option. However, when chronically stressed, the test subjects tended to opt for the high-risk, high-reward option.

Don’t go it alone

You do not want constant indecision to prolong your divorce but avoid acting in haste to safeguard your parental and property rights. Think each choice you face through carefully before you make a legally binding decision. Guidance from someone familiar with the legal requirements of divorcing in Ohio can also help you make sound decisions.