When depression is mentioned, symptoms such as unhappiness, reluctance and inability to enjoy life usually come to mind. However, scientists point out that depression does not occur in the same way in everyone.
A new study conducted by University of Sydney researchers has highlighted a subtype of depression that may be linked to disruptions in the body's 24-hour biological clock. This picture, called "circadian depression", stands out especially with irregularities in the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness. In the study, it was determined that approximately one quarter of the depression patients examined had characteristics of this subtype.
WHAT IS CIRCADIAN DEPRESSION?
Circadian depression is a subtype of depression thought to be associated with disruptions in the body's approximately 24-hour biological rhythm. Circadian rhythm; It determines the daily routine of many functions, from sleep and wakefulness cycle to hormone secretion, body temperature and metabolism.
Disruption of this rhythm can affect a person's sleep hours and daily life routine. Researchers evaluate that in some people, these irregularities may not only be a symptom of depression, but may also play a role in the formation and maintenance of depression.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CIRCADIAN DEPRESSION?
The University of Sydney study focused on six key features associated with circadian depression. Among these, changes in sleep habits and daily biological rhythm stood out.
Symptoms associated with circadian depression are listed as follows:
- Waking up tired in the morning: The person may not feel rested even if he has slept enough.
- Sleeping late: There may be a tendency to stay awake late at night and sleep late.
- Sleeping more than normal: Sleep duration may increase during depressive periods.
- Seasonal changes: Mood can be affected by the change of daylight and seasons.
- Social jet lag: There can be big differences between sleeping and waking hours on work or school days and holidays.
- Being a night person: While the person feels more energetic in the evening and night hours, it is difficult to wake up in the morning.
In the study, participants with at least three of these characteristics were evaluated in the circadian depression group.
ONE IN EVERY FOUR DEPRESSION PATIENTS MAY BE IN THIS GROUP
In the research conducted at the Brain and Mind Center of the University of Sydney, clinical and genetic data of more than 10 thousand Australians were examined. In the scientific article, data from 11 thousand 380 participants were included.
In the study, it was determined that 2,604 people, approximately 23 percent of the participants, had circadian depression characteristics. This rate is valid for the people examined in the study who had severe, recurrent or long-term depression. Therefore, the results do not mean that one in every four people in society experiences depression or has this subtype.
CAN CIRCADIAN DEPRESSION BE RESISTANT TO TREATMENT?
One of the notable findings of the study was that participants with circadian depression characteristics responded less well to some common antidepressant treatments and reported more side effects.
It was observed that the response to SSRI and SNRI group drugs, especially those targeting the serotonin and serotonin-noradrenaline system, was lower in this group. Researchers state that approaches targeting the biological clock may be important for these people.
Light therapy, restoring sleep patterns, and treatments targeting the melatonin system are among the options considered. However, these findings do not mean that these methods are suitable for everyone or will provide treatment alone. The treatment plan must be determined individually by the physician.
IS CIRCADIAN DEPRESSION A NEW DISEASE?
The research is important in that it identifies a new subtype of depression that may be linked to the biological clock. However, it should be noted that circadian depression is not yet an independent psychiatric diagnostic category accepted worldwide.
The scientific study was published in The British Journal of Psychiatry. Researchers point out that the findings need to be repeated in different groups and the biological mechanisms should be examined in more detail. For experts, this study opens a new field of research for closer evaluation of sleep and biological rhythm characteristics in the treatment of depression.
