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Life Events and Mania

A Special Relationship?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

A. Ambelas
A. Ambelas*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, PO Box 65, Leicester LE2 7LX
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Abstract

Fifty patients in their first manic episode were compared retrospectively with groups of (a) manic patients in other than first admissions and (b) acute surgical cases. They were then followed up for 3–8 years. First manic admissions were linked to life events far more frequently – 66% vs 20% and 8% respectively for the other groups. Within-group comparisons showed patients with life events were much younger. The link between life events and manic episodes appeared immediate and selective, a view further supported by the findings of the follow-up. Later episodes precipitated by life events seem to require smaller amounts of stress. The possible role of life events in relation to mania is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 150 , Issue 2 , February 1987 , pp. 235 - 240
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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