Stressful life events preceding disease onset were investigated in a consecutive series of 60 patients with large bowel disorders (ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and appendicitis), using Paykel's methodology. Ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome were frequently preceded by events generally regarded as undesirable and involving losses or exits from the social field, which would be specific of a depressed population, while appendicitis seemed to reflect more generic psychosocial difficulties.