Seasonal affective disorder among general practice attenders.

In this issue, Eagles et al et al report that people report that people suffering from seasonal affective disorder suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are heavy users of primary health (SAD) are heavy users of primary health care services (Eagles care services (Eagles et al et al, 2002, this issue). , 2002, this issue). Nearly 10% of patients attending practices Nearly 10% of patients attending practices in Aberdeen screened positive for SAD in Aberdeen screened positive for SAD using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ; Rosenthal Questionnaire (SPAQ; Rosenthal et al et al, , 1987), among whom around half of those 1987), among whom around half of those attending for interview fulfilled DSM±IV attending for interview fulfilled DSM±IV criteria for recurrent major depression with criteria for recurrent major depression with seasonal pattern. The patients with SAD seasonal pattern. The patients with SAD had consulted significantly more frequently had consulted significantly more frequently over a 5-year period, with a variety of over a 5-year period, with a variety of symptoms both related and unrelated to symptoms both related and unrelated to SAD, and had received significantly more SAD, and had received significantly more prescriptions, investigations and referrals prescriptions, investigations and referrals than patients found not to fulfil the criteria than patients found not to fulfil the criteria for SAD. for SAD. None of the patients studied had been None of the patients studied had been diagnosed as cases of SAD and only in a diagnosed as cases of SAD and only in a very few, judging by their practice records, very few, judging by their practice records, had the possibility ever been considered. had the possibility ever been considered. This finding supports that of Michalak This finding supports that of Michalak et al et al (2001), who carried out a similar study in a (2001), who carried out a similar study in a population sample and found that only population sample and found that only one one of 25 cases had received a diagnosis of of 25 cases had received a diagnosis of SAD, although over half had been SAD, although over half had been diagnosed with other forms of depression diagnosed with other forms of depression and had been prescribed antidepressants. and had been prescribed antidepressants. As a researcher interested in mental As a researcher interested in mental health problems in primary care, I …