One in four people with depression could have 'circadian depression', in which disruptions to the body's internal clock contribute to a person's mental illness, according to a large population and genetics study1 published today in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The study found that people with circadian depression, which is characterized by disrupted sleep, low energy and reduced physical activity during the day, tended to have more severe symptoms that start at a younger age than those with other forms of depression. They also tended to be female and less likely to respond to conventional antidepressants. Researchers in the field say that although the findings add to clinicians understanding of the possible causes of depression, they are preliminary and more evidence is needed before circadian depression can be formally recognized as a disorder or treatment guidelines are changed. Major depressive disorder is the second most common mental-health disorder globally, but its...
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