Dr. Judith Gerhart, CFP
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst 
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Fight or Flight
August 18, 2009
A marriage that isn’t working is dangerous. It profoundly threatens our happiness, our self-esteem and even our physical well being. Sometimes when things are rocky, enough love is present to put in the work and save the marriage. In other cases, a relationship has become far too toxic to try, or even want to make it work.
During the divorce process, or any other time we are threatened, our stress hormones kick in to protect us. To help us survive, the adrenal glands release adrenaline and norepinephrine. These chemicals increase our ability to either fight, or run away from danger by triggering stress-related responses including:
• increased heart and respiration rate
• constricting blood vessels
• tightening muscles.
The stress of deciding to divorce triggers both “fight” and “flight” responses. Leaving the marriage in itself is “flight.” The next months or even years involve a fight to gain a personally and financially sustainable divorce settlement, and to rebuild your life.
By: Roberta Pescow
Posted by Judith Gerhart on August 18, 2009 | Permalink | Post a comment
