scholarly journals Seasonal affective disorder and non-seasonal affective disorders: Results from the NESDA study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim H. Winthorst ◽  
Annelieke M. Roest ◽  
Elisabeth H. Bos ◽  
Ybe Meesters ◽  
Brenda W.J.H. Penninx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Severity Of Depression ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes

BackgroundSeasonal affective disorder (SAD) is considered to be a subtype of depression.AimsTo compare the clinical picture of SAD to non-seasonal affective disorders (non-SADs).MethodDiagnoses according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) were established in 2185 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was administered to diagnose SAD. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured with the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Fear Questionnaire.ResultsParticipants with SAD, participants with a lifetime bipolar disorder and participants with a lifetime comorbid anxiety and depressive disorder scored highest in terms of psychopathology in the past year. The seasonal distribution of major depressive episodes was not different for participants with or without SAD.ConclusionsSAD may be a measure of severity of depression with a subjectively perceived worsening of symptoms in the winter months.

scholarly journals Direct Health Care Costs of Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Comparison of Light Therapy and Fluoxetine

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Cheung ◽  
Carolyn Dewa ◽  
Erin E. Michalak ◽  
Gina Browne ◽  
Anthony Levitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Health Care Costs ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes ◽  
Care Costs

Objective.To compare the direct mental health care costs between individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder randomized to either fluoxetine or light therapy.Methods.Data from the CANSAD study was used. CANSAD was an 8-week multicentre double-blind study that randomized participants to receive either light therapy plus placebo capsules or placebo light therapy plus fluoxetine. Participants were aged 18–65 who met criteria for major depressive episodes with a seasonal (winter) pattern. Mental health care service use was collected for each subject for 4 weeks prior to the start of treatment and for 4 weeks prior to the end of treatment. All direct mental health care services costs were analysed, including inpatient and outpatient services, investigations, and medications.Results.The difference in mental health costs was significantly higher after treatment for the light therapy group compared to the medication group—a difference of $111.25 (z=−3.77,P=0.000). However, when the amortized cost of the light box was taken into the account, the groups were switched with the fluoxetine group incurring greater direct care costs—a difference of $75.41 (z=−2.635,P=0.008).Conclusion.The results suggest that individuals treated with medication had significantly less mental health care cost after-treatment compared to those treated with light therapy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

2016 ◽  
pp. 253-265
Author(s):  
Kelly Rohan ◽  
Jennifer N. Rough
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes

Winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a subtype of depression, characterized by the recurrence of major depressive episodes in the fall and/or winter months. In North America, SAD prevalence and severity are inversely related to photoperiod, such that SAD is more common at northern latitudes. Photoperiod is the most robust environmental predictor of SAD episode onset. Research has supported a potential role for both physiological and psychological vulnerabilities in the development and maintenance of SAD. Specifically, SAD has been linked to abnormal circadian functioning, retinal sensitivities to low light availability, and maladaptive cognitive and behavioral responses in winter. SAD symptoms can be comparably and effectively treated with different modalities including light therapy, antidepressants, and cognitive–behavioral therapy. Future research should continue to explore and integrate different vulnerabilities as a means to further refine effective treatment and prevention efforts.

scholarly journals Cognitive bias modification to prevent depression (COPE): results of a randomised controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (15) ◽  
pp. 2514-2525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Basanovic ◽  
Ben Grafton ◽  
Andrew Ford ◽  
Varsha Hirani ◽  
David Glance ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Control Intervention ◽  
Severity Of Depression ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes

AbstractBackgroundAlthough efficacious treatments for major depression are available, efficacy is suboptimal and recurrence is common. Effective preventive strategies could reduce disability associated with the disorder, but current options are limited. Cognitive bias modification (CBM) is a novel and safe intervention that attenuates biases associated with depression. This study investigated whether the delivery of a CBM programme designed to attenuate negative cognitive biases over a period of 1 year would decrease the incidence of major depression among adults with subthreshold symptoms of depression.MethodsRandomised double-blind controlled trial delivered an active CBM intervention or a control intervention over 52 weeks. Two hundred and two community-dwelling adults who reported subthreshold levels of depression were randomised (100 intervention, 102 control). The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of major depressive episode assessed at 11, 27 and 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes included onset of clinically significant symptoms of depression, change in severity of depression symptoms and change in cognitive biases.ResultsAdherence to the interventions was modest though did not differ between conditions. Incidence of major depressive episodes was low. Conditions did not differ in the incidence of major depressive episodes. Likewise, conditions did not differ in the incidence of clinically significant levels of depression, change in the severity of depression symptoms or change in cognitive biases.ConclusionsActive CBM intervention did not decrease the incidence of major depressive episodes as compared to a control intervention. However, adherence to the intervention programme was modest and the programme failed to modify the expected mechanism of action.

Prevention of winter seasonal affective disorder by bright-light treatment

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1075-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Partonen ◽  
Jouko Lönnqvist
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Prophylactic Treatment ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Bright Light Treatment

SynopsisIn patients with winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) the onset of a depressive episode is probably associated with the decreasing amount of light during the autumn. A highly predictable onset of a recurrent depressive episode with seasonal pattern provides a rationale for testing the efficacy of bright-light treatment as a preventive measure. Twelve out-patients with winter SAD were assigned to start bright light treatment either when they were well, or not to start it until the first symptoms of depression had already emerged. The severity of depressive symptoms was prospectively rated for a parallel randomized comparison. Bright light given well in advance of the emerging symptoms prevented a depressive episode. Clinical remission was significantly more frequent in the former subgroup of the patients in January and in March. To sum up, bright light can be successfully administered as prophylactic treatment for the prevention of winter SAD.

What is the role of conventional antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive episodes with Mixed Features Specifier?

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianni L. Faedda ◽  
Ciro Marangoni
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Unipolar Depression ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Pharmacological Management ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Mixed Features ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes

The newly introduced Mixed Features Specifier of Major Depressive Episode and Disorder (MDE/MDD) is especially challenging in terms of pharmacological management. Prior to the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, the symptoms of the mixed features specifier were intradepressive hypomanic symptoms, always and only associated with bipolar disorder (BD).Intradepressive hypomanic symptoms, mostly referred to as depressive mixed states (DMX), have been poorly characterized, and their treatment offers significant challenges. To understand the diagnostic context of DMX, we trace the nosological changes and collocation of intradepressive hypomanic symptoms, and examine diagnostic and prognostic implications of such mixed features.One of the reasons so little is known about the treatment of DMX is that depressed patients with rapid cycling, substance abuse disorder, and suicidal ideation/attempts are routinely excluded from clinical trials of antidepressants. The exclusion of DMX patients from clinical trials has prevented an assessment of the safety and tolerability of short- and long-term use of antidepressants. Therefore, the generalization of data obtained in clinical trials for unipolar depression to patients with intradepressive hypomanic features is inappropriate and methodologically flawed.A selective review of the literature shows that antidepressants alone have limited efficacy in DMX, but they have the potential to induce, maintain, or worsen mixed features during depressive episodes in BD. On the other hand, preliminary evidence supports the effective use of some atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of DMX.

scholarly journals Does the Croatian Stock Market Have Seasonal Affective Disorder?

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Tihana Škrinjarić ◽  
Branka Marasović ◽  
Boško Šego
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
Stock Returns ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Trading Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
Daily Data ◽  
Depressive Episodes

This paper explores mood anomalies, specifically the seasonal affective disorder (SAD) effect on the Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE). SAD is defined as a syndrome of depressive episodes in human behavior due to the changing of the season. Thus, the motive of this research is to gain better insights into the investors’ sentiment regarding SAD effects. The purpose of the research is to observe how investors’ sentiment affects the return and risk series on ZSE and if this could be exploitable. Using daily data on stock market return CROBEX for the period January 2010—February 2021, SAD effects are tested to explore if seasonal changes affect the stock returns and risk. Besides the SAD variable in the model, some control variables are included as well: Monday, tax, and COVID-19 effect. The results indicate that SAD effects exist on ZSE, even with controlling for mentioned effects; and asymmetries around winter solstice exist. Implications of such findings can be found in simulating trading strategies, which could incorporate such information to gain profits. Limitations of the research focus on one market, observing static parameters of the estimated models, and observing simple trading strategies. Thus, future research should focus on international diversification possibilities, time-varying models, and fully exploring the exploitation possibilities of such findings.

Will light brighten the future of the depressed patient?

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.H. Van Den Hoofdakker ◽  
M.C.M. Gordijn
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Psychosocial Variable ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Treatment Experiment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Therapeutic Possibilities

The present explosive growth of interest in the therapeutic possibilities of exposure to light was triggered by a patient, Herbert Kern. He suffered from episodic depressive and manic complaints and discovered, by registering these over the years, a seasonal pattern in their occurrence. Discussions with scientists of the NIMH resulted in his participation in a bright light-treatment experiment when he was depressed in the winter of 1980-1981. He recovered.Next, the same group of investigators defined the criteria for a new syndrome, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): a history of major affective disorder (according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria), at least two consecutive years in which the depressions have occurred during fall or winter and remitted in the following spring or summer, and the absence of any clear-cut seasonally changing psychosocial variable, such as work, stress and so on.

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.

Melatonine en stemmingsstoornissen

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
J. Beullens
Keyword(s):  
Pineal Gland ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Melatonin Level ◽  
Melatonin Secretion ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryMelatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland mainly during the night. The discovery that this melatonin secretion decreases under the influence of bright light, gave rise to the use of light therapy in some affective disorders. The literature on the relationship between melatonin secretion and mood is reviewed concerning seasonal affective disorder, non-seasonal affective disorder and premenstrual syndrome. Light therapy could reduce an abnormal high melatonin secretion back to normal proportions. None of the affective disorders, however, is accompanied by an unusual high melatonin level. Nevertheless, light therapy as well as other therapies that suppress melatonin have a therapeutic effect. This is not the case with the administration of melatonin. Mood is not affected by extra melatonin in seasonal affective disorder but it is in both other affective disorders. Melatonin plays a part in the pathogenesis of the affective disorders but it is not yet clear which one.

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