Risk Factor of Depression

Depression and the risk factor

The biggest risk factor of all for depression is loss. It may take the form of bereavement, divorce, moving house or the loss of a job. Stress of any sort is a well-recognized trigger for depression.

If a genetic disposition to depression does exist, it is clearly a risk factor. Anyone has a one in five (20 percent) chance of suffering with depression. The risk of both unipolar and bipolar disorder increases if you have a close relative, such as a parent, brother or sister, who suffers with depression.

The winter risk
Sufferers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are clearly at risk with the onset of autumn and winter and the decreasing levels of natural light. You can lower this risk by using a special light box every morning from the autumn onwards. This device gives out bright light at a particular wavelength and not only cures the depression of most SAD sufferers, but is also an effective method of preventing a yearly recurrence, once an initial diagnosis has been made.

Your Stress Rating
The most commonly used rating for stress is that composed by Holmes and Rahe in 1967. Access your stress rating by ticking the events you have experienced in the last year, then add together the figures for each life event:

Less than 150: You have no more than the average risk of illness (30 percent).
150 – 299: You have a 50 percent probability of developing an illness.
Over 300: You have an 80 percent chance of developing an illness.

If you have suffered with or have a predisposition for depression, the illness that you develop may prove to be depression.

Stress Rating Chart

Death of a spouse 100 Divorce 73 Marital separation 65 Prison term 63 Death of a close family member 63 Personal injury or illness 53 Marriage 50 Loss of job 47 Marital reconciliation 45 Retirement 45 Change in family member’s health 44 Pregnancy 40 Sexual difficulties 39 Addition to family 39 Business readjustment 39 Change in financial state 38 Death of a close friend 37 Change to different type of work 36 More/fewer marital arguments 35 Taking out a large mortgage or loan 31 Foreclosure on mortgage or loan 30 Change in work responsibilities 29

Son or daughter leaving home 29 Trouble with in-laws 29 Outstanding personal achievement 28 Spouse begins or stops work 26 Starting or finishing school 26 Change in living conditions 25 Change of personal habits 24 Trouble with boss 23 Change in work hours or conditions 20 Change in residence 20 Change in school 20 Change in recreational habits 19 Change in organizational activities 19 Change in social activities 18 Taking out a small mortgage or loan 17 Change in sleeping habits 16 More/fewer family gatherings 15 Change in eating habits 15 Holiday 13 Christmas 12 Minor violation of the law 11

Key Facts: Recognize the risk at stressful times and, if necessary, take pre-emptive action. Don’t keep on piling stress upon stress; try to stagger changes.