Life Traumas

If I am going to learn how to deal with the traumatic events in my life, I must first learn to recognize what they are. For that reason I am taking a look at a study done some years ago by researchers Holmes and Rahe.

In 1985 Michigan State University published a quantified list of stressors in life. Based on the value you record regarding whether or not you had experienced that particular incident of stress a reliable prediction was made indicating whether or not you would develop an illness in that year.

The incidents are weighted to indicate there potential impact on your health.

A score of 150 indicates there is a 50% chance you will develop an illness.
A score of 300 indicates there is a 90% chance you will develop an illness.

To take the survey circle the number next to the life event you experienced in the last year then total all the numbers you circled to evaluate your risk level.

Death of a spouse 100
Divorce 73
Marital separation 65
Jail term 63
Death of a close family member 63
Personal injury or illness 53
Marriage 50
Fired from work 47
Marital reconciliation 45
Retirement 45
Change in health of family
member 44
Pregnancy 40
Sex difficulties 39
Addition to family 39
Business readjustment 39
Change in financial status 39
Death of a close friend 37
Change to a different line of work 36
Change in number of
arguments with spouse 35
Mortgage over $10,000 31
Foreclosure of of mortgage
or loan 30
Change in responsibilities at work 29
Son or daughter leaving home 29
Trouble with in-laws 29
Outstanding personal
achievement 28
Spouse begins or stops work 26
Begin or end school 26
Change in living conditions 25
Revision of personal habits 24
Trouble with boss 23
Change in work hours
or conditions 20
Change in residence 20
Change in schools 20
Change in recreation 19
Change in church activities 19
Change social activities 18
Mortgage or loan less than
$10,000 17
Change in sleeping habits 15
Change in number of family
get-togethers 15
Change in eating habits 15
Vacation 13
Christmas 12
Minor violations of the law 11
Your total ___________