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Analysis casts doubt on seasonal affective disorder
Recent findings indicated no seasonal-related differences in depressive symptoms among a large cohort of adults.
“Research on [seasonal affective disorder] has provided the basis for major depression with seasonal pattern, but much of the research on [seasonal affective disorder] has used the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) for case identification,” the researchers wrote. “Despite its frequent use in studies of [seasonal affective disorder], the SPAQ is not without significant problems that seriously challenge its validity as a measure of major depression with seasonal variation.”
To assess the validity of a seasonally-related pattern of occurrence of major depression, researchers analyzed data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 34,294 adults aged 18 to 99 years.
Analysis indicated no evidence of associations between depressive symptoms and season-related measures. Specifically, depressive symptoms were not significantly higher among individuals who responded to the survey during winter months or at times of lower sunlight exposure, compared with respondents at other times.
Further, analysis of a subsample of 1,754 participants who scored within the clinical range for depression indicated no evidence of seasonal differences in depressive symptoms.
“The findings cast doubt on major depression with seasonal variation as a legitimate psychiatric disorder,” the researchers wrote.
“Mental health professionals who treat people with depression should be concerned about their own and their patients' accurate conceptions about the possible causes of depression,” study researcher Steven LoBello, PhD, MSPH, of Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama, said in a press release. “Pursuit of treatments based on false causes is unlikely to lead to rapid and durable recoveries.” – by Amanda Oldt
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.