The experience of stressful life events was found to be associated with disturbances of diabetic control. Increases in the incidence of glycosuria, changes in prescriptions and frequency of clinic attendance were associated with increases in the reported occurrence of life events. The experience of life events was not reflected in blood glucose measures. Any increases in blood glucose appeared to be registered as glycosuria. Analysis of variance showed that insulin treated groups scored higher on ‘disturbance measures’ than the tablet treated groups. Insulin requiring diabetics were more inclined to have problems with their diabetic management in association with life events than the tablet treated diabetics.