title: The social zeitgeber theory, circadian rhythms, and mood disorders: review and evaluation.
abstract: The social zeitgeber theory [Ehlers, C. L., Frank, E., & Kupfer, D. J. (1988). Social zeitgebers and biological rhythms. Archives of General Psychiatry, 45, 948-952] offers an explanation of how life events trigger depressive episodes. According to this theory, life stress leads to mood episodes by causing disruptions in individuals' social routines and, in turn, their biological circadian rhythms. In this article, we review the literature pertaining to the social zeitgeber theory, as well as evidence that this theory may be applied to (hypo)manic episodes. Given the limited data supporting the social zeitgeber theory to date, we also evaluate whether circadian rhythm disruptions are triggered by an internal mechanism, such as an abnormality in one's pacemaker (the suprachiasmatic nucleus; SCN). We review these two theories in an attempt to understand the potential causes of circadian rhythm disruptions and affective episodes in individuals with unipolar and bipolar disorders. We also propose several areas of future research.
authors.affiliation: Temple University, Weiss Hall, 6th Floor, 1701 N. 13th St., Phila., PA 19122, USA. lgrandin@temple.edu
authors.forename: Louisa D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Grandin
authors.forename: Lauren B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Alloy
authors.forename: Lyn Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Abramson
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D021081:Chronobiology Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012919:Social Behavior; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology