Content analysis of biographic interviews with endogenous and neurotic depressives shows that problems in a partnership carry particular weight as triggers of depression. In this respect, however, separations and the death of a partner play a comparatively less important role. Neurotic depressives become significantly more often depressive because of partnership-related events than endogenous depressives. Also in qualitative respects the causes for depression differ between the two groups: in endogenous depressives a threat of real loss often triggers depression, whereas neurotic depressives fall ill more frequently as a result of disappointments and injuries caused by the partner. Accompanying differences in the course of the partnership, the choice of partner and the premorbid personality are discussed.