Holding a grudge can be harmful to your health [The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.]
June 27--Holding a grudge against someone may hurt more than just that person. By being bitter or spiteful, you could also be hurting yourself, too.
Dr. Kevin Larkin, a psychology professor at WVU, is in the beginning stages of a research project that he hopes will link holding grudges against a particular person to chronic and stress-related illnesses. While he hasn't been able to carry out the full extent of his project because of lack of funding, he said he's learned that having a bone to pick with someone can be harmful to your health.
"Even when people get over the grudge, they will sometimes go back and relive or revisit the grudge they once had," he said.
Reliving the grudge can also cause chronic illnesses to worsen.
High-blood pressure and chronic back pain are believed to be the two most common illnesses that are associated with holding grudges.
"When someone does hold a grudge, their blood pressure may go up or back pain may worsen during the time period of holding the grudge," he said. " Sometimes you'll also see a diabetic's blood sugar level increase if they are holding a grudge."
During the grudge stages, a recovering substance abuser is more likely to have a relapse, according to Larkin.
Larkin said he plans to gather cortisol and adrenaline samples from participants during the study.
"Cortisol and adrenaline are stress hormones that tend to do more damage than just causing chronic illnesses to worsen," he said.
Larkin said even though he's still in the planning stages of his research, he believes grudges can play a huge role in declining health, both physically and emotionally.
"The person is also better emotionally once they give up the grudge," he said.
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