Seasonal variation in hospital admission for bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia in Tasmania

Objective: Seasonal variation has been reported for both affective disorder s and schizophrenia. The current study examines seasonal variation in admis sions in schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder in Tasmania, the so uthernmost state of Australia. Method: All admissions with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression in Tasmania between 1983 and 1989 were examined for evidence of seasonal variation in admission patterns. Results: Using the modified Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic defined by Freedma n no significant seasonal variation was found in admissions with diagnoses of mania, depression or schizophrenia. There was a significant seasonal var iation in admissions with schizoaffective disorder (winter peak). Conclusion: There is no significant seasonal variation in admissions with s chizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder in Tasmania, This may be due t o a combination of geographical location and the stringent test of seasonal variation used in the current study.