Crisis Countdown
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 November 1, 1995 - last reviewed on June 9, 2016
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