A Comparative Study of Life Events in Depression and Mania

This prospective study was aimed at a qualitative and quantitative analysis of life events in depression and mania and to find out any correlation between the severity of life events and magnitude of illness. Forty two patients with first episode mania and thirty patients with first episode depression, satisfied the DSM III R Diagnostic Criteria were interviewed using Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for depression, Modified Manic State Rating Scale for mania and a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic and clinical profile. Life events were experienced by 87% of depressives and 81% of manics. There was no difference in the quantitative and qualitative profile of life events except that desirable life events and events like major physical illness or injury were significantly higher in depressives. Financial loss/problems were the commonest events experienced by the two groups. There was no con-elation between the severity of life events and magnitude of illness. The implications of these findings are discussed in Indian context.