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Life Events and Primary Affective Disorders

A One Year Prospective Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

D. Pardoen ,
F. Bauwens ,
M. Dramaix ,
A. Tracy ,
C. Genevrois ,
L. Staner  and
J. Mendlewicz
D. Pardoen*
Affiliation:
Free University of Brussels, University Clinics of Brussels
F. Bauwens
Affiliation:
Free University of Brussels, University Clinics of Brussels
M. Dramaix
Affiliation:
Free University of Brussels, University Clinics of Brussels
A. Tracy
Affiliation:
Free University of Brussels, University Clinics of Brussels
C. Genevrois
Affiliation:
Free University of Brussels, University Clinics of Brussels
L. Staner
Affiliation:
Free University of Brussels, University Clinics of Brussels
J. Mendlewicz
Affiliation:
Free University of Brussels, University Clinics of Brussels
*
Dr D. Pardoen, University Clinics of Brussels, Department of Psychiatry, Erasme Hospital, 808, Route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgium. Fax: 32 2 555 45 15
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Abstract

Background

Unipolar and bipolar patients with a chronic illness pattern were investigated to determine whether they experienced a higher number of life events prior to the onset of recurrent affective episodes.

Method

The study participants consisted of 27 recovered bipolar patients, 24 recovered unipolar patients and 26 healthy control subjects. Life events and psychiatric status were assessed by bimonthly interviews over the period of one year using the Inventory for Recent Life Events and the Research Diagnostic Criteria.

Results

In both unipolar and bipolar patients, analyses revealed no significant differences in the number of life events experienced, irrespective of whether the patients had presented with a depressive episode of at least minor intensity during the study (all P > 0.1). Specifically, an increase in marital problems was observed in bipolar patients prior to the onset of recurrent hypomanic and manic episodes (P=0.06).

Conclusion

The causal association between life events and the onset of depression, shown to be relevant in non-chronically depressed subjects, does not apply in chronic affective disorders. In addition, our results suggest that marital events have an impact on the onset of recurrent hypomanic and manic episodes.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 169 , Issue 2 , August 1996 , pp. 160 - 166
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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