Life events in the 2-year-course of major depression. A prospective study with inpatients

A number of studies has shown a significant relationship between life event s/life conditions and depression. However, there is only a small number of studies investigating the effect of life events/life conditions in patients with severe depression from the endogenous subtype. The results are incons istent. The present study examines the significance of the patients' life e vents/life conditions for the two year outcome of the illness in a prospect ive study with assessments every three months. Patients are compared to hea lthy controls with regard to the period three months prior to the admission to the hospital at the index episode. The results confirm the importance o f life events and life conditions for the long term outcome of depressed pa tients with endogenous subtype respectively severe major depression in-pati ents. Relapsers show considerably more undesirable life conditions than non -relapsers three to six months prior to their relapse. Depressed patients i ndicate significantly more undesirable life events and life conditions and fewer desirable life conditions in comparison to the control group for the time span three months prior to their hospitalisation. Clinical implication s are discussed.