[Existential events and psychopathology].

The stream of works in the English-language literature relating life stressful events and mental disorders is fifteen years old. In spite of differences in methodology and conceptualization, a review of works published in French and in English allows to draw the conclusion that there is a significant link between these two parameters. This is clearly established for the suicidal cases and the relapses of neurotic depression. A significant link does not signify, systematically a principle of causality.