Looks at the percentage increase in risk of depression after a
stressful experience. Includes death of a close relative; Assault;
Serious marital problem.
By
PT Staff, published on November 01, 1995
Watching your marriage crumble or getting the ax at work is bad
enough. Butthere's also the potential for nasty psychological falbe
out--your risk of depression soars after a stressful experience.
Hoping to sort out the interplay of genes and the environment in
depression, researchers at the Medical College of Virginia studied more
than a thousand pairs of female twins. While they found evidence for
genetic susceptibility, stressful life events posed a far greater danger.
Here's how the likelihood of depression rises following common traumatic
incidents.
Event Increase in Risk
of Depression
Death of close relative 1,500%
Assault 1,400
Serious marital problem 1,130
Divorce/breakup 1,130
Serious trouble getting along
with close relative 740
Job loss 580
Serious illness of close relative 390
Loss of confidante 390
Serious illness 330
Major financial problem 150
PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): Watching your marriage crumble or
getting the ax at work is bad enough
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