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Is Seasonal Affective Disorder a Disorder of Circadian Rhythms?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Paul H. Desan  and
Dan A. Oren
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Abstract

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that starts in the fall and ends in the spring. This article reviews existing theories about the relationship between circadian rhythms and the disorder. Recent research indicates that as with pharmacologic antidepressants, at least 2–4 weeks are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of bright-light therapy compared to placebo. The response to such treatment is strongest with precisely timed light exposure: treatment is optimal during the morning hours when the circadian systemt is susceptible to phase advance. Such clinical improvement is correlated with the magnitude of the phase shift induced. These observations suggest a model of circadian function in SAD and provide important guidelines for its treatment.

Type
Feature Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 6 , Issue 6: Medical Chronobiology in Psychiatry and Neurology , June 2001 , pp. 487 - 501
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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