Seasonal affective disorder among primary care attenders and a community sample in Aberdeen

1999 ◽  
Vol 175 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Eagles ◽  
Samantha M. Wileman ◽  
Isobel M. Cameron ◽  
Fiona L. Howie ◽  
Kenneth Lawton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

BackgroundThere are no large published studies of the prevalence of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) among UK populations.AimTo determine the prevalence of SAD among patients attending a general practitioner (GP).MethodPatients aged 16–64 consulting their GPs in Aberdeen during January were screened with the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). SPAQs were also mailed to 600 matched patients, who had not consulted their GP during January. Surgery attenders who fulfilled SPAQ criteria for SAD were invited for interview to determine whether they met criteria for SAD in DSM–IVand the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression– Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH–SAD).ResultsOf 6161 surgery attenders, 4557 (74%) completed a SPAQ; 442 (9.7%) were SPAQ cases of SAD. Rate of caseness on the SPAQ did not differ between surgery attenders and non-attenders. Of 223 interviewed SPAQ cases of SAD, 91 (41%) also fulfilled DSM–IVand SIGH–SAD criteria.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of SAD among patients attending their GPs in January in Aberdeen; this is likely to reflect a similar rate in the community.

scholarly journals High prevalence of seasonal affective disorder among persons with severe visual impairment

2016 ◽  
Vol 208 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle ⊘stergaard Madsen ◽  
Henrik Dam ◽  
Ida Hageman
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Light Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire ◽  
Light Input

BackgroundLight severely affects the occurrence of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).AimsTo compare the prevalence of SAD in persons with severe visual impairment and persons with full sight, and in persons with severe visual impairment with or without light perception.MethodThis cross-sectional study assessed the Global Seasonality Score (GSS) and the prevalence of SAD among 2781 persons with visual impairment and 4099 persons with full sight using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ).ResultsRespondents with visual impairment had significantly higher GSS and prevalence of SAD compared with full sight controls, P<0.001. Light perception respondents were more vulnerable to seasonal change than both full sight and no light perception respondents.ConclusionsThe study showed a highly significant association between visual impairment and SPAQ-defined SAD parameters, supporting the hypothesis that decreased retinal light input plays a role in the pathogenesis of SAD.

scholarly journals Seasonal affective disorder among general practice attenders

2002 ◽  
Vol 180 (5) ◽  
pp. 394-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Kendrick
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
American Psychiatric Association ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Care Services ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

In this issue, Eagles et al report that people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are heavy users of primary health care services (Eagles et al, 2002, this issue). Nearly 10% of patients attending practices in Aberdeen screened positive for SAD using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ; Rosenthal et al, 1987), among whom around half of those attending for interview fulfilled DSM–IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria for recurrent major depression with seasonal pattern. The patients with SAD had consulted significantly more frequently over a 5-year period, with a variety of symptoms both related and unrelated to SAD, and had received significantly more prescriptions, investigations and referrals than patients found not to fulfil the criteria for SAD.

scholarly journals Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherri Melrose
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Typical Treatment ◽  
Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a recurrent major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern usually beginning in fall and continuing into winter months. A subsyndromal type of SAD, or S-SAD, is commonly known as “winter blues.” Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer. Symptoms center on sad mood and low energy. Those most at risk are female, are younger, live far from the equator, and have family histories of depression, bipolar disorder, or SAD. Screening instruments include the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). Typical treatment includes antidepressant medications, light therapy, Vitamin D, and counselling. This paper provides an overview of SAD.

scholarly journals Patients’ Experience of Winter Depression and Light Room Treatment

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Rastad ◽  
Lennart Wetterberg ◽  
Cathrin Martin
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Rapid Improvement

Background. There is a need for more knowledge on the effects of light room treatment in patients with seasonal affective disorder and to explore patients’ subjective experience of the disease and the treatment.Methods. This was a descriptive and explorative study applying qualitative content analysis. A purposeful sample of 18 psychiatric outpatients with a major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern and a pretreatment score ≥12 on the 9-item Montgomery-Åsberg Depression self-rating scale was included (10 women and 8 men, aged 24–65 years). All patients had completed light room treatment (≥7/10 consecutive weekdays). Data was collected two weeks after treatment using a semistructured interview guide.Results. Patients described a clear seasonal pattern and a profound struggle to adapt to seasonal changes during the winter, including deterioration in sleep, daily rhythms, energy level, mood, activity, and cognitive functioning. Everyday life was affected with reduced work capacity, social withdrawal, and disturbed relations with family and friends. The light room treatment resulted in a radical and rapid improvement in all the major symptoms with only mild and transient side effects.Discussion. The results indicate that light room treatment is essential for some patients’ ability to cope with seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder and latitude of living

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 336-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greta Brancaleoni ◽  
Elena Nikitenkova ◽  
Luigi Grassi ◽  
Vidje Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Conflicts Of Interests ◽  
Environmental Light ◽  
Sleeping Problems ◽  
The University ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire ◽  
North Norway

SUMMARYAim – Since the importance of latitude of living for the prevalence of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is unclear, the study aims to test the latitude hypothesis by comparing SAD in two rather similar groups of students living at latitudes far apart. Methods – Two groups of students, 199 in Tromsø, Norway (690 N) and 188 in Ferrara, Italy (440 N) were asked to fill in the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. Results – Global Seasonality score (GS-score) was significantly higher in Italian than in Norwegian students, in females and in students with sleeping-problems. Norwegian students had significantly higher SAD prevalence in winter and in spring. Most people in both countries felt worst in October and November, and the prevalence of Autumn SAD was not significantly different between the two countries. Conclusions – The hypothesis that SAD is linked to amount of environmental light and latitude of living was not supported.Declaration of Interest: The study was fully financed by the University of Tromsø and the University Hospital North Norway, and there are no conflicts of interests.

L-Tryptophan Augmentation of Light Therapy in Patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder

1997 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond W Lam ◽  
Robert D Levitan ◽  
Edwin M Tam ◽  
Lakshmi N Yatham ◽  
Sophie Lamoureux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Augmentation Strategy

Objective Up to one-third of patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) do not have a full response to light therapy. Given the evidence for serotonergic dysregulation in SAD, we examined the possible role of l-tryptophan as an augmentation strategy for nonresponders and partial responders to light therapy. Method Eligible drug-free patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for SAD were treated for 2 weeks using a standard morning light therapy regimen (10 000 lux cool-white fluorescent light for 30 minutes). Partial and nonresponders were treated for 2 weeks with open-label l-tryptophan (1 g 3 times daily) while light therapy was continued. Ratings at baseline and follow-up included the 29-item Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, SAD version (SIGH-SAD) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale. Results Sixteen patients began the l-tryptophan augmentation phase. Two patients discontinued medications within 3 days because of side effects. In the 14 patients completing treatment, the addition of l-tryptophan resulted in significant reduction of mean depression scores. Nine of 14 patients (64%) showed very good clinical responses to combined treatment and minimal side effects. Conclusion This open-label study suggests that l-tryptophan may be an effective augmentation strategy for those patients with SAD who show limited or poor response to bright light therapy. Further placebo-controlled studies are warranted to demonstrate efficacy.

scholarly journals Seasonal sensitivity and psychiatric morbidity: study about seasonal affective disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aníbal Fonte ◽  
Bruno Coutinho
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychiatric Disturbance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vocational Courses ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

Abstract Background Seasonal Affective Disorder is a recurrent depressive disorder which usually begins in the fall/winter and enters into remission in the spring/summer, although in some cases may occur in the summer with remission in the autumn-winter. In this study the authors evaluated the association between seasonal changes in mood and behavior with psychiatric disturbance. Method Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Participants, students attending higher education and vocational courses (N = 324), were evaluated with the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) and the Screening Scale for Mental Health (ER80). Results Among the respondents, 12.7% showed seasonal affective disorder (SAD), 29.0% showed subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder (s-SAD) and 58.3% did not show significant seasonal affective symptomatology. As for psychiatric morbidity, 36.6% of subjects with SAD and 13.8% of those with s-SAD were considered “psychiatric cases” whereas for subjects without SAD this value was only 3.2%. Conclusions There is a statistically significant association between psychiatric morbidity and seasonal affective disorder. This association corroborates the importance of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire in screening for seasonal fluctuations in mood and behavior related disorders, and the clinical need for recognition of these conditions, particularly associated suffering and disabilities.

Seasonal Affective Disorder in Australia: Is Photoperiod Critical?

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory W. Murray ◽  
David A. Hay
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Recurrent Depression ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

Objectives: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a variant of recurrent depression in which episodes are linked to a particular season, typically winter. SAD is understood as the extreme end of a continuum of seasonality in the general population. Photoperiod (the timing and duration of daylight) has been assumed to be aetiologically critical. The present research used a survey design to investigate the assumed centrality of photoperiod for SAD/seasonality in Australia. Two hypotheses were tested: that self-reported seasonality does not increase further from the equator and that seasonality does not stand alone from non-seasonal neurotic complaints. Method: The sampling frame used was adult females on the Australian Twin Registry roll. A sample of 526 women residing across the latitudes of Australia responded to a survey based around the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). The SPAQ asks respondents to retrospectively report on season-related changes in mood and behaviour. The survey also contained three questionnaire measures of neurotic symptoms of anxiety and depression: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Community Epidemiological Survey for Depression (CES-D) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—Trait (STAI-T). Results: Self-reported seasonality did not correlate with latitude (r=0.01, NS). On the other hand, a substantial relationship was found between seasonality and each of the measures of non-seasonal complaints: GHQ (r=0.35, p<0.001); CES-D (r=0.35, p<0.001); and STAI-T (r=0.30, p<0.001). Conclusions: Within the limitations of a design based on retrospective self-report, the findings of the present study suggest that the diathesis for SAD/seasonality may not be photoperiod-specific. At least in Australia, there is provisional support for the proposal that human seasonality may have a broader psychological component. The findings are discussed in terms of established research into normal mood, trait personality and non-seasonal depression.

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