Life events and mania. A special relationship?

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.