Two physiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe carried out a detailed survey into the main causes of Stress in the human body.

Their research involved the medical records of over 5000 patients, from the information gathered in this way they were able to identify the key factors to stress overload. They made a chart listing the 43 most stressful life events.

This research was carried out back in 1967 and has been validated by further investigations into stress related illness, and is commonly regarded as the major guide line to understanding the causes of stress.

The findings are still used in everyday diagnosis of patients by health professionals.

Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale.

Life Event                                           Score      

• Death of Spouse                                100                  
• Divorce                                               73
• End of a Relationship                            65
• Prison terms                                        63
• Death of close family member                63
• Personal Injury, Illness, etc                    53   
• Marriage                                              50
• Redundancy/Job loss                            47
• Retirement                                           45
• Marriage/relationship reconciliation          45

• Changing health of family member          44
• Pregnancy                                             40
• Sexual Problems                                    39
• Addition of new family member                39
• Business re-adjustment                           39
• Change in Financial Status                       38
• Death of a Close Friend                           37
• Change to Different Line of Work              35
• Increased Marital Arguments                    35
• Mortgage or loan over £10,000                 31
• Fore-closure of Mortgage or of Loan          31 

• Change in work responsibilities                 29
• Son/daughter Leaving Home                     29
• Trouble with In-Laws                                29
• High Personal Achievements                     28
• Spouse begins or Stops Work                   26
• Starting or finishing School                       26
• Change in Living Conditions                      25
• Revision of Personal Habits                       24
• Trouble with Employer                              23
• Change in Work Hours                              20
• Change in Residence                                20
• Change in Schools                                    20
• Change in Recreation                                19
• Change in Church Activities                       19
• Change in Social Activities                         18
• Mortgage or Loan < £10,000                      17
• Change in Sleeping Habits                         16
• Changed number of Family Gatherings       15
• Holidays                                                   13
• Christmas Season                                     12
• Minor violation of the Law                           11

In calculating Your Personal Score, only add together events that have happened in the last 12 – 18 Months.

If you total over 150, you have been under a lot of stress, requiring a high degree of adaptation, with a 50% chance of serious health deterioration over the next 12 months. 

If you total over 300, you have an 80% chance of serious deterioration in your health within the next year.

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