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A Follow-up Study of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Christopher Thompson ,
Sunil K. Raheja  and
Elizabeth A. King
Christopher Thompson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton
Sunil K. Raheja
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton
Elizabeth A. King
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton
*
Professor Thompson, Department of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital, Graham Road, Southampton S09 4PE
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Abstract

Background

The long-term course of seasonal affective disorder has not been well studied.

Method

Using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM–III–R, we interviewed 75% of a sample of 124 subjects diagnosed from five to eight years previously as fulfilling DSM–III–R criteria for recurrent major affective disorder, seasonal pattern.

Results

In the follow-up period, 38% of the sample continued to fulfil DSM–III–R criteria for seasonal illness; 28% had recurrent major depressive disorder, but no longer displayed a seasonal pattern; 18% were completely well with no further depression; 6% had subsyndromal symptoms; and 5%, although not meeting DSM–III–R criteria for seasonal illness, were still displaying constant periodicity. A short duration of index episode and a high frequency of illness predicted a continuing seasonal course of illness.

Conclusion

Diagnostic criteria for seasonal affective disorder need to be further refined, possibly restrictively, if they are to be used to predict the future course of seasonal illness.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 3 , September 1995 , pp. 380 - 384
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

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