Seasonal Affective Disorder JB Leiknes Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder JB Leiknes
Seasonal Affective Disorder Mood disorder People who are normally happy experience depressive symptoms during winter months “Winter-blues” or “winter depression” More prevalent in nordic countries First described by scholar Jordanes in the 6 th century in his book Getica 1 Most prevalent during winter months but can occur during other seasons [Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder]
Classification of SAD In order to qualify as SAD a diagnosis must meet 4 criteria 2: Depressive periods at a particular time of year Relapse into depression or mania/hypomania at a particular time of year Pattern of depression lasting two or more years with no nonseasonal major depressive episodes during the same period The instances of depression following a seasonal pattern must outnumber other instances of depression throughout patient's life
Etiology Believed to be light-related Serotonin polymorphisms 4 Evidence: effectiveness of light-therapy 3 Association between SAD and the shorter allele of the serotonin transporter promoter repeat length polymorphism (5 -HTTLPR) Mutation in the gene expressing melanopsin Photopigment found in retina, participates in circadian rhythm
Treatment Primarily concerning winter-based SAD Light therapy Bright light therapy/dawn simulation 5 Medication Timed administration of the hormone melatonin Main theory behind treatment is adjustment of circadian rhythm via use of light or hormones/medicaments to mimic or induce the body's own mechanisms of circadian rhythm
Cultural Impact Light cafés Commercially available bright-lights
Sources 1 – [Wikipedia] Jordanes' Getica – http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Getica_(Jordanes) 2 – [Mayo Clinic] Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – http: //www. mayoclinic. com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS 00195/DSECTION=symptoms 3 – [American Journal of Psychiatry] The Can-SAD Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Light Therapy and Fluoxetine in Patients With Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder – http: //ajp. psychiatryonline. org/cgi/content/abstract/163/5/805 4 – [Neurobiology of Disease] Seasonal Affective Disorder and Serotonin-Related Polymorphisms – http: //www. sciencedirect. com/science? _ob=Article. URL&_udi=B 6 WNK 457 VFDV 13&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C 000050221&_version= 1&_url. Version=0&_userid=10&md 5=cdf 40 c 7 c 01 f 51290364 ab 7709 dbeacf 4 5 – [Biological Psychiatry] Dawn simulation and bright light in the treatment of SAD: a controlled study – http: //www. sciencedirect. com/science? _ob=Article. URL&_udi=B 6 T 4 S 43 RJ 7 CF 8&_cover. Date=08%2 F 01%2 F 2001&_alid=509264218&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1& _cdi=4982&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C 000022721&_version=1&_url. Version=0&_userid=489256 &md 5=c 2 dc 9 bcba 4 a 21 f 35 f 9482 ab 0 fd 10 cd 1 a
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