scholarly journals Seasonal sensitivity and psychiatric morbidity: study about seasonal affective disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aníbal Fonte ◽  
Bruno Coutinho
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychiatric Disturbance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vocational Courses ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

Abstract Background Seasonal Affective Disorder is a recurrent depressive disorder which usually begins in the fall/winter and enters into remission in the spring/summer, although in some cases may occur in the summer with remission in the autumn-winter. In this study the authors evaluated the association between seasonal changes in mood and behavior with psychiatric disturbance. Method Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Participants, students attending higher education and vocational courses (N = 324), were evaluated with the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) and the Screening Scale for Mental Health (ER80). Results Among the respondents, 12.7% showed seasonal affective disorder (SAD), 29.0% showed subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder (s-SAD) and 58.3% did not show significant seasonal affective symptomatology. As for psychiatric morbidity, 36.6% of subjects with SAD and 13.8% of those with s-SAD were considered “psychiatric cases” whereas for subjects without SAD this value was only 3.2%. Conclusions There is a statistically significant association between psychiatric morbidity and seasonal affective disorder. This association corroborates the importance of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire in screening for seasonal fluctuations in mood and behavior related disorders, and the clinical need for recognition of these conditions, particularly associated suffering and disabilities.

scholarly journals High prevalence of seasonal affective disorder among persons with severe visual impairment

2016 ◽  
Vol 208 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle ⊘stergaard Madsen ◽  
Henrik Dam ◽  
Ida Hageman
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Light Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire ◽  
Light Input

BackgroundLight severely affects the occurrence of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).AimsTo compare the prevalence of SAD in persons with severe visual impairment and persons with full sight, and in persons with severe visual impairment with or without light perception.MethodThis cross-sectional study assessed the Global Seasonality Score (GSS) and the prevalence of SAD among 2781 persons with visual impairment and 4099 persons with full sight using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ).ResultsRespondents with visual impairment had significantly higher GSS and prevalence of SAD compared with full sight controls, P<0.001. Light perception respondents were more vulnerable to seasonal change than both full sight and no light perception respondents.ConclusionsThe study showed a highly significant association between visual impairment and SPAQ-defined SAD parameters, supporting the hypothesis that decreased retinal light input plays a role in the pathogenesis of SAD.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study of factors affecting seasonality in bipolar disorder

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Kumar Mittal ◽  
Shubham Mehta ◽  
Ram Kumar Solanki ◽  
Mukesh Kumar Swami ◽  
Parth Singh Meena
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Researchers have evinced interest in the effect of seasonal variations on mood and behavioural patterns in affective disorders. </p><p><strong>Objective. </strong>To study seasonality in bipolar disorder (BD) patients and also the factors affecting this seasonality. </p><p><strong>Method. </strong>Forty-nine patients with BD in euthymic phase were recruited and analysed using<strong> </strong>the<strong> </strong>Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. </p><p><strong>Results. </strong>Most of the patients were morning types but chronotype had no influence on seasonality. Age of patient and number of episodes were the most important factors affecting seasonality in BD. </p><p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>Seasonality and its influencing factors must be considered while managing bipolar disorder.</p>

scholarly journals Seasonal affective disorder among general practice attenders

2002 ◽  
Vol 180 (5) ◽  
pp. 394-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Kendrick
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
American Psychiatric Association ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Care Services ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

In this issue, Eagles et al report that people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are heavy users of primary health care services (Eagles et al, 2002, this issue). Nearly 10% of patients attending practices in Aberdeen screened positive for SAD using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ; Rosenthal et al, 1987), among whom around half of those attending for interview fulfilled DSM–IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria for recurrent major depression with seasonal pattern. The patients with SAD had consulted significantly more frequently over a 5-year period, with a variety of symptoms both related and unrelated to SAD, and had received significantly more prescriptions, investigations and referrals than patients found not to fulfil the criteria for SAD.

scholarly journals Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherri Melrose
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Typical Treatment ◽  
Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a recurrent major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern usually beginning in fall and continuing into winter months. A subsyndromal type of SAD, or S-SAD, is commonly known as “winter blues.” Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer. Symptoms center on sad mood and low energy. Those most at risk are female, are younger, live far from the equator, and have family histories of depression, bipolar disorder, or SAD. Screening instruments include the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). Typical treatment includes antidepressant medications, light therapy, Vitamin D, and counselling. This paper provides an overview of SAD.

scholarly journals Seasonal Variations in Mood and Behavior in Romanian Postgraduate Students

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 870-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph J. Soriano ◽  
Constantin Ciupagea ◽  
Kelly J. Rohan ◽  
Dorin B. Neculai ◽  
Samina M. Yousufi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Air Conditioners ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Multinomial Probability ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

To our knowledge, this paper is the first to estimate seasonality of mood in a predominantly Caucasian sample, living in areas with hot summers and a relative unavailability of air conditioning. As a summer pattern of seasonal depression was previously associated with a vulnerability to heat exposure, we hypothesized that those with access to air conditioners would have a lower rate of summer seasonal affective disorder (SAD) compared to those without air conditioning. A convenience sample of 476 Romanian postgraduate students completed the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), which was used to calculate a global seasonality score (GSS) and to estimate the rates of winter- and summer-type SAD. The ratio of summer- vs. winter-type SAD was compared using multinomial probability distribution tests. We also compared the ratio of summer SAD in individuals with vs. without air conditioners. Winter SAD and winter subsyndromal SAD (S-SAD) were significantly more prevalent than summer SAD and summer S-SAD. Those with access to air conditioners had a higher, rather than a lower, rate of summer SAD. Our results are consistent with prior studies that reported a lower prevalence of summer than winter SAD in Caucasian populations. Finding an increased rate of summer SAD in the minority of those with access to air conditioners was surprising and deserves replication.

scholarly journals Seasonality of blood neopterin levels in the Old Order Amish

Pteridines ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 163-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hira Mohyuddin ◽  
Polymnia Georgiou ◽  
Abhishek Wadhawan ◽  
Melanie L. Daue ◽  
Lisa A. Brenner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Old Order Amish ◽  
Old Order ◽  
Neopterin Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

AbstractSeasonal changes in non-human animals and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in humans are associated with immune activation in winter relative to summer. We intended to measure seasonal variation in neopterin, a marker of cellular immunity, and its interactions with gender and seasonality of mood. We studied 320 Amish from Lancaster, PA, USA (men=128; 40%) with an average age [Standard deviation (SD)] of 56.7 (13.9) years. Blood neopterin level was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seasonality was measured with Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). Statistical analysis included analysis of covariance (ANCOVAs) and multivariate linear regression. We also investigated interactions of seasonal differences in neopterin with gender, seasonality scores and estimation of SAD diagnosis. We found a significantly higher neopterin level in winter than in summer (p=0.006). There were no significant gender or seasonality interactions. Our study confirmed the hypothesized higher neopterin level in winter. A cross sectional design was our major limitation. If this finding will be replicated by longitudinal studies in multiple groups, neopterin could be used to monitor immune status across seasons in demographically diverse samples, even if heterogeneous in gender distribution, and degree of seasonality of mood.

Seasonal affective disorder and latitude of living

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 336-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greta Brancaleoni ◽  
Elena Nikitenkova ◽  
Luigi Grassi ◽  
Vidje Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Conflicts Of Interests ◽  
Environmental Light ◽  
Sleeping Problems ◽  
The University ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire ◽  
North Norway

SUMMARYAim – Since the importance of latitude of living for the prevalence of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is unclear, the study aims to test the latitude hypothesis by comparing SAD in two rather similar groups of students living at latitudes far apart. Methods – Two groups of students, 199 in Tromsø, Norway (690 N) and 188 in Ferrara, Italy (440 N) were asked to fill in the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. Results – Global Seasonality score (GS-score) was significantly higher in Italian than in Norwegian students, in females and in students with sleeping-problems. Norwegian students had significantly higher SAD prevalence in winter and in spring. Most people in both countries felt worst in October and November, and the prevalence of Autumn SAD was not significantly different between the two countries. Conclusions – The hypothesis that SAD is linked to amount of environmental light and latitude of living was not supported.Declaration of Interest: The study was fully financed by the University of Tromsø and the University Hospital North Norway, and there are no conflicts of interests.

Seasonal Affective Disorder in Australia: Is Photoperiod Critical?

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory W. Murray ◽  
David A. Hay
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Recurrent Depression ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

Objectives: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a variant of recurrent depression in which episodes are linked to a particular season, typically winter. SAD is understood as the extreme end of a continuum of seasonality in the general population. Photoperiod (the timing and duration of daylight) has been assumed to be aetiologically critical. The present research used a survey design to investigate the assumed centrality of photoperiod for SAD/seasonality in Australia. Two hypotheses were tested: that self-reported seasonality does not increase further from the equator and that seasonality does not stand alone from non-seasonal neurotic complaints. Method: The sampling frame used was adult females on the Australian Twin Registry roll. A sample of 526 women residing across the latitudes of Australia responded to a survey based around the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). The SPAQ asks respondents to retrospectively report on season-related changes in mood and behaviour. The survey also contained three questionnaire measures of neurotic symptoms of anxiety and depression: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Community Epidemiological Survey for Depression (CES-D) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—Trait (STAI-T). Results: Self-reported seasonality did not correlate with latitude (r=0.01, NS). On the other hand, a substantial relationship was found between seasonality and each of the measures of non-seasonal complaints: GHQ (r=0.35, p<0.001); CES-D (r=0.35, p<0.001); and STAI-T (r=0.30, p<0.001). Conclusions: Within the limitations of a design based on retrospective self-report, the findings of the present study suggest that the diathesis for SAD/seasonality may not be photoperiod-specific. At least in Australia, there is provisional support for the proposal that human seasonality may have a broader psychological component. The findings are discussed in terms of established research into normal mood, trait personality and non-seasonal depression.

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