The natural history of a 39-year-old male is presented, with emphasis on development of his depressive disorder & resultant suicide attempt while a patient on a psychiatric ward. He was treated with ECT (5 treatments) & discharged free from psychotic & depressive symptomatology, on a regimen of drug therapy (imipramin 50 mg t.i.d. & nitrazepam 5 mg o.d.) (NBB)