ABSTRACT
The search for the aetiology and most efficacious treatment of affective illnesses, including manic-depressive (bipolar), should involve the integration of biologic, genetic, and psychosocial components. Within the last decade, several investigative groups have demonstrated a relationship between life stress and exacerbations in the course of bipolar disorder (e.g. Ellicott et al., 1990; Joffe et al., 1989; Hammen and Gitlin, 1997). Although some of these investigations have evaluated life events in a manner that is philosophically consistent with the work of the Bedford College group, very few have employed the full Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS – Brown and Harris, 1978a) protocol.
