<blockquote>
From a link teejai: posted earlier.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>

The diathesis-stress model is a psychological theory that explains behaviour as both a result of biological and genetic factors ("nature"), and life experiences ("nurture"). This theory is often used to describe the pronunciation of mental disorders, like schizophrenia, that are produced by the interaction of a vulnerable hereditary predisposition, with precipitating events in the environment. This theory was originally introduced as a means to explain some of the causes of schizophrenia (Zubin & Spring, 1977).

Vulnerability / predisposition
In the diathesis-stress model, a genetic vulnerability or predisposition (diathesis) interacts with the environment and life events (stressors) to trigger behaviors or psychological disorders. The greater the underlying vulnerability, the less stress is needed to trigger the behavior/disorder. Conversely, where there is a smaller genetic contribution greater life stress is required to produce the particular result. Even so, someone with a diathesis towards a disorder does not necessarily mean they will ever develop the disorder. Both the diathesis and the stress are required for this to happen.

Reformulation
The diathesis-stress model has been reformulated in the last 20 years as the stress-vulnerability-protective factors model, particularly by Dr. Robert P. Liberman and his colleagues in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation.

Effects
This model has had profound benefits for people with severe and persistent mental illnesses. It has stimulated research on the common stressors that people with disorders such as schizophrenia experience. More importantly, it has stimulated research and treatment on how to mitigate this stress, and therefore reduce the expression of the diathesis, by developing protective factors. Protective factors include rigorous and nuanced psychopharmacology, skill building (especially problem solving and basic communication skills) and the development of support systems for individuals with these illnesses. Even more importantly, the stress-vulnerability-protective factors model has allowed mental health workers, family members, and clients to create a sophisticated personal profile of what happens when the person is doing poorly (the diathesis), what hurts (the stressors), and what helps (the protective factors). This has resulted in more humane, effective, efficient, and empowering treatment interventions.

Source: Wikipedia


</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I thought that was very interesting. I'd never heard of it before. I can see some aspects of it fitting my own experience quite well. For example, do you know that spot behind the knee, where if you just give it a little poke, it will bring your whole body down? I think I had a weakness like that although I'm not so sure that it was genetic -- I think it was environmental, although I did get it from my father. That spot in me lay hidden for years but once it was exposed and touched, down I came. I call that one the collapse of the self-identity (ego) model. It's describes my own experience quite well.

I've read elsewhere that psychosis can be brought on in anyone with the right combination of factors -- meaning stressors. This is probably most commonly seen in sleep deprivation, but stress and trauma can do the same. Typically, when this does happen in conjunction with stress and trauma, it's considered a brief psychotic disorder.