An underlying circannual rhythm in seasonal affective disorder?
A patient diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) carried out prospective ratings of depression weekly for nearly a decade. A winter peak of depression and benzodiazepine intake was documented. However, over the years, the depressive episodes shifted toward spring in an apparent free-running circannual rhythm (periodogram peaks at 53 and 55 weeks). This patient may have an underlying seasonal propensity to depression no longer precisely entrained to environmental cues.
Wirz-Justice
A
A
Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric University Clinic, Basel, Switzerland. anna.wirzjustice@unibas.ch
Kräuchi
K
K
Graw
P
P
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017440:Photoperiod; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012621:Seasons
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines