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Life Events, Depression and Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Function

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

R. J. Dolan ,
S. P. Galloway ,
P. Fonagy ,
F. V. A. De Souza  and
A. Wakeling
R. J. Dolan*
Affiliation:
The Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ
S. P. Galloway
Affiliation:
Fulbourne Hospital, Cambridge
F. V. A. De Souza
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
A. Wakeling
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

The relationship between antecedent life events, clinical profile, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function was examined in 72 depressed patients. Antecedent life events were associated with first episodes of depression and with greater severity of illness, but their presence did not distinguish between patients diagnosed as endogenous or neurotic, and status on the dexamethasone suppression test was not associated with a greater or lesser likelihood of antecedent events. However, urinary free Cortisol levels were higher in those patients with life events and difficulties.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 147 , Issue 4 , October 1985 , pp. 429 - 433
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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