SEASONS AND DEPRESSION - THE INFLUENCE OF CIGARETTE-SMOKING

The seasonality of depressive illness has been documented since antiqu ity. A review of 611 patients, who were consecutively admitted to the adult inpatient psychiatric unit of a mid-Michigan general hospital, e xamined the influence of cigarette smoking and psychiatric diagnosis u pon the seasonal variation of admissions. Among the smokers, admission s for depressive disorders (n = 151) peaked in the springtime (z = 2.1 , p < .05) and declined in summer. Admissions for the nonsmokers faile d to demonstrate a substantial seasonal rhythm. Admissions for smokers and nonsmokers in other diagnostic groups did not show any seasonal v ariation. These findings parallel numerous studies regarding the influ ence of seasons upon rates of hospitalization for depressive disorder, and completed suicide. Therapeutic implications related to the bidire ctional relationship between cigarette smoking and depression are disc ussed.