Stress sensitivity in women with a history of recurrent versus first-episode major depression.

Approximately 50 % of people who recover from an initial episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) experience a recurrence, and the risk for recurrence increases with each additional episode. Consistent with the stress sensitization model, there is evidence that whereas initial MDD onsets are often preceded by major negative life events, recurrences are often triggered by more minor events. However, it is unclear whether this is due to increased frequency of minor life events, increased reactivity to these events, or both.