Has your marriage been adversely affected by a long term illness or placed understrain by a seriously ill child?
A long term illness in the family can place a marriage under intense strain.
Research shows that when faced with the serious illness of a spouse, men are far more likely to walk away than women. The research shows that men do not show the same level of commitment and emotional attachment to their sick spouse, the family or the home and typically following a diagnosis the marriage will come to an end within 6 months. Apparently, the longer a couple had been married, the more likely that they would stay married.
When you are living with a serious illness, it is easy for this to become all consuming and relationship issues may get lost in the enormity of what you are dealing with. Not all marriages are capable of being salvaged but with the right type of support and intervention your marriage could endure the stresses.
Illness does not discriminate and it could be that you are coping with a child that has a long term illness – equally this will put your marriage or relationship under extreme pressure. You may be torn between your responsibilities as a carer and guilt over leaving the marriage.
If your relationship has been adversely affected by longterm illness please feel free to share your experiences with us.
