Seasonal variation in admissions of psychiatric patients and its relation to seasonal variation in their births.

Background: Since bipolar affective disorder has been recorded, clinicians treating patients with this disorder have noted the cyclic nature of episodes, particularly an increase in mania in the spring and summer months and depression during winter. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate seasonality in symptom onset and service admissions over a period of 10 years in a group of patients (n ¼ 359) with first-episode (FE) mania (n ¼ 133), FE schizoaffective disorder (n ¼ 49) and FE schizophrenia (n ¼ 177). Method: Patients were recruited if they were between 15 and 28 years of age and if they resided in the geographical mental health service catchment area. The number of patients experiencing symptom onset and service admission over each month and season was recorded. Results: In terms of seasonality of time of service admission, the results indicate a high overall seasonality (particularly in men), which was observed in both the schizoaffective and the bipolar groups. In terms of seasonality of symptom onset, the results indicate that seasonality remains in the male bipolar group, but other groups have no seasonal trend. Conclusions: This provides further evidence that systems mediating the entrainment of biological rhythms to the environment may be more pronounced in BPAD than in schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia. These results may help facilitate the preparedness of mental heath services for patients at different times of the year.

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“…In psychotic disorders, some studies provide evidence of seasonality of admissions in firstepisode (FE) (38) and overall schizophrenia (39).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal influences on first-episode admission in affective and non-affective psychosis

Hallam

Berk

Kader

et al. 2006

Acta Neuropsychiatr.

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“…Moreover, all disorders linked to a dopaminergic system disturbance, specifically, substance-induced psychotic disorders (23), psychomotor excitement of bipolar disorder (2,(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29), and some features of the schizophrenia spectrum (25,(30)(31)(32)(33)(34) worsen in summer. Light may induce panic attacks through a dopaminergic pathway; in fact, dopamine agonist substances (for example, cocaine and levodopa) can bring about panic attacks (35)(36).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum and Light Sensitivity in a General Population Sample in Italy

et al. 2005

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Objective: This study aimed to verify a possible correlation between panic symptoms and photosensitivity, not only in panic disorder (PD) but also in the panic-agoraphobic spectrum. Method:One hundred and sixty-nine healthy and drug-free subjects completed the Structured Clinical Interview for Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum-Lifetime version (SCI-PAS-Lifetime) and the Photosensitivity Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ). Results:The SCI-PAS-Lifetime total score was positively correlated with the total score of the PAQ photophobia subdimension (r = 0.44; P < 0.001); the SCI-PAS-Lifetime total score was not significantly correlated with the photophilia subdimension. As photophobia increased, we observed significant score increases in all SCI-PAS-Lifetime domains. Bivariate correlation showed higher coefficient correlation between the panic-like symptoms domain and photophobia (r = 0.44; P < 0.001). Conclusions:A high total score in the SCI-PAS-Lifetime, which denotes more typical features of the spectrum, is associated with a higher level of light sensitivity and intolerance toward bright stimuli. This finding reflects clinical evidence that widely documents photophobic behaviours in subjects with PD and the importance of light stimuli exposure during the onset and course of such a disorder. Bright stimulation seems to be relevant both in PD diagnosed according to current DSM criteria and in the entire panic-agoraphobic spectrum, from nuclear elements of the disorder through subclinical states to the normal condition. Clinical Implications· This study confirms clinical evidence and literature data that document photophobic behaviours in subjects with panic disorder (PD), as well as the importance of light stimuli exposure during the onset and course of such a disorder. · The possible presence of panic spectrum elements in patients affected by psychiatric disorders other than PD and their relation to light hypersensitivity suggest the importance of carefully assessing subsyndromic panic symptoms. They may explain seasonal changes in some aspects of the course of evident clinical Axis I disorders. · The relation between light stimulation and panic spectrum elements could have meaningful implications for the course and prognosis of the clinical manifestations, especially with reference to seasonal changes, with significant consequences for clinical remission and maintenance therapy. Limitations· We considered a small sample that was not homogeneously distributed between men and women; photophobia and photophilia scores did not have a Gaussian distribution. · The Photosensitivity Assessment Questionnaire was designed for a Mediterranean population, and its outside test validity and reliability were evaluated in an Italian population only. · Further studies using larger, homogeneous samples are needed to conduct a more in-depth investigation of the relations between spectrum model, nosographic entities of current classification systems, and light sensitivity.

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“…Although numerous papers have been published o ve r th e yea rs th a t support the existence of seasonal differences in psychiatri c disorde rs (24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39), 41 many of these early papers do not seem readily applicable to support cu r rent notions of the entity of SAD . Although, Rosentha l et al briefly allude to t he numerous discrepancies in these early studies (40), Christensen et al in th e "Myths of Mid-Winter Depression," present a detailed literature r e view of t he conflicting nature of the empirical data that relates to se aso na l peaks of psychiatric disorders (41).…”

Section: Literat Ure Sup Port For Sadmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Affective Disorder: SAD or Fad?

Pichot¹,

Jensen²

1989

JJP

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Seasonal variation in admissions of psychiatric patients and its relation to seasonal variation in their births.

Cited by 116 publications

References 12 publications

Seasonal influences on first-episode admission in affective and non-affective psychosis

Seasonal influences on first-episode admission in affective and non-affective psychosis

Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum and Light Sensitivity in a General Population Sample in Italy

Seasonal Affective Disorder: SAD or Fad?

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