Natasha and I love each other, very much! I keep telling her, and once she calms down from one of her temper tatrums - she usually tells me...
It's just that Natasha seems to be "stressing-out" more than usual, these days.
Honestly, I've noticed these mood swings have grown exponentially, as her belly has grown. (I have a strong feeling there's some "connection" there)...
After searching the Internet, I discovered "Psychoneuroimmunology" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoneuroimmunology ) - basically it lists important experiences in your life, and how much stress is associated with these.
From the following website, http://chipts.ucla.edu/assessment/IB/List_Scales/Social%20Readjustment%20Rating%20Scale.htm :
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
Background: The following instrument is based on the premise that good and bad events in one's life can increase stress levels and make one more susceptible to illness and mental health problems (Holmes & Rahe, 1967)
Assessment:
1. Death of a spouse 100
2. Divorce 73
3. Marital Separation 65
4. Jail term 63
5. Death of a close family member 63
6. Personal injury or illness 53
7. Marriage 50
8. Fired at work 47
9. Marital reconciliation 45
10. Retirement 45
11. Change in health of family member 44
12. Pregnancy 40
13. Sex difficulties 39
14. Gain of a new family member 39
15. Business readjustments 39
16. Change in financial state 38
17. Death of a close friend 37
18. Change to different line of work 36
19. Change in no. of arguments with spouse 35
20. Mortgage over $ 50,000 31
21. Foreclosure of mortgage 30
22. Change in responsibilities at work 29
23. Son or daughter leaving home 29
24. Trouble with in-laws 29
25. Outstanding Personal achievements 28
26. Wife begins or stops work 26
27. Begin or end school 26
28. Change in living conditions 25
29. Revision of personal habits 24
30. Trouble with boss 23
31. Change in work hours or conditions 20
32. Change in residence 20
33. Change in school 20
34. Change in recreation 19
35. Change in religious activities 19
36. Change in social activities 18
37. Loan less than 50,000 17
38. Change in sleeping habits 16
39. Change in no. of family get- together 15
40. Change in eating habits 15
41. Vacation 13
42. Holidays 12
43. Minor violation of laws 11
SCORING
Each event should be considered if it has taken place in the last 12 months.
Add values to the right of each item to obtain the total score.
Your susceptibility to illness and mental health problems:
Low < mild =" 150-200" moderate =" 200-299">300
Low < mild =" 150-200" moderate =" 200-299">300
Adding up for Natasha - She has more than 300 points! (I probably have somewhere near the same amount of points).
Let's hope we remember to count to 10 and take deep breaths...
