Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Seasonal Affective Disorder And Seasonality: A Review, Leo Sher M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Seasonal affective disorder is a condition where depressions in fall and winter alternate with nondepressed periods in the spring and summer. The Degree to which seasonal changes affect mood, energy, sleep, appetite, food preference, or the wish to socialize with other people has been called "seasonality." The author reviews historical aspects, clinical features, epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and treatment of seasonal affective disorder and seasonality. Better understanding of the contemporary concept of seasonal affective disorder, seasonality, and light treatment will improve patient care and promote scientific advances in behavioral sciences.

Ultradian Cycles Of Mood In Normal And Depressed Subjects, Donald P. Hall Jr., M.D., David Benedek M.D., Audrey Chang

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Objective: To study ultradian cycles of mood in four inpatient groups.

Method: We assessed the mood of depressed and nondepressed subjects, on an hourly basis, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for two consecutive days using a visual analog scale of mood. Hourly mood scores for each group were plotted against time.

Results: We found ultradian cycles with mean lengths of 3-4 hours in all groups. The major depressive episode and adjustment disorder depression groups, however, had ultradian cycles of significantly greater amplitude than ward staff.

Conclusions: Depressed patients demonstrate greater amplitude in ultradian cycles of mood than nondepressed subjects.