Life event precipitants of adolescent anorexia nervosa

As part of a prospective outcome study, independent life events occurring in the year before onset in 35 consecutive cases of anorexia nervosa were recorded by a semi-structured interview with the subject and a parent. Negative impact and context were rated blind, using the case vignette method. Subjects with anorexia reported intermediate rates of negative life events between community and psychiatric controls. Chronic adversities were common. Negative life events were associated with depressive disorder in controls, but not in those with anorexia. Significant under-reporting of events may occur in this population.