Life events in 82 self-poisoning subjects were studied using the Bedford Collefe LEDS to see whether there was a difference between those who had a clear depressive syndrome (according to the Present State Examination) & the remainder. Greatest number of life events were found in those with high levels of extrapunitiveness, whereas those who had not experienced a severe life event showed predominance of intropunitiveness. Suicidal intent was not related to experience of life events, but has previously been shown to be associated with high intropunitiveness. The findings are discussed in the light of current theories linking life events, depression & parasuicide. The need for longitudinal studies to examine these factors in relation to repreated parasuicide is emphasized. (24 refs)