Alexithymia refers to a cluster of cognitive-affective deficit in emotion-processing characterized by difficulties in experiencing and expression emotions. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of recurrent depressive or bipolar disorder highlighting somatic symptoms (hyperphagia and snacking for carbohydrate/high fat food, hypersomnia). Alexithymic characteristics could explained why some patients suffering from winter depression are likely to selectively focus on somatic symptoms.

We report the first study assessing the prevalence, sociodemographic and clinical correlates of Alexithymia in patients suffering from Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

In a sample of 59 consecutive depressed outpatients with winter seasonal features (DSM-IV criteria), alexithymia was assessed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale -20 (TAS-20), severity of depression was assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Sigh-SAD version -25, depressive and anxious symptoms were evaluated with the depression and anxiety subscales of the Hospital Depression scale (HAD).

The prevalence of alexithymia was 35.6%. Total TAS-20 scores were significantly correlated with: age (r= 0.27), duration of the illness (r= 0.31), depression and anxiety HAD scores, respectively r = 0.34 and r= 0.37. Alexithymia was not related to other sociodemographic and clinical variables (hyperphagia, snacking for carbohydrate food and hypersomnia).

Alexithymia is frequent in patients suffering from Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder. Nevertheless, this study does not provide support to a relationship between alexithymia and somatic symptoms. Larger prospective studies are required to define whether alexithymia is a stable personality trait or a state-dependent phenomenon in patients suffering from winter SAD.