RATES OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE-DISORDER IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Objective: The authors estimated the frequency of seasonal affective d isorder in children and adolescents and examined the relationship of t his rate to age and pubertal status. Method: A modified version of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was distributed to 2,267 st udents at a middle school and a high school in a suburb Of Washington, D.C. A case diagnosis was made if the respondent scored over 18 and a lso indicated that the change of seasons was at least a ''pretty bad'' problem. Results: A total of 1,871 questionnaires (82.5%) were return ed. Sixty probable cases of seasonal affective disorder (3.3%) were id entified among the 1,835 surveys analyzed. Age was directly correlated with the frequency of seasonal affective disorder, and the rate was h igher in postpubertal girls. Differences between the subjects with and without identified cases of seasonal affective disorder were seen in the symptom endorsement patterns, particularly for ''feel worst,'' ''l east energy,'' ''most irritable, '' and ''socialize least.'' Conclusio ns: These pilot data suggest that between 1.7% and 5.5% of 9-19-year-o ld children may have seasonal affective disorder. Further research is warranted particularly that which examines the relationship between se asonal affective disorder and puberty.