SEASONAL AFFECTIVE-DISORDER AMONG PSYCHIATRIC-NURSES IN ABERDEEN

The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was posted to psychiatri c nurses in Aberdeen, and 443 (73% of eligible subjects) responded. Th e rate of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) was 2.9% and for subsyndro mal SAD (S-SAD) was 9.5%. When rates were age and sex adjusted to the Aberdeen population aged 15 to 64, this yielded a prevalence of 1.9% f or SAD and 7.2% for S-SAD. As in other studies, there was a prepondera nce of young female sufferers, but being married appeared to be protec tive. Comparisons with epidemiological studies elsewhere lead to the c onclusion that population rates of winter depression relate to a combi nation of genetic susceptibility/selection, latitude of residence and geographical mobility.