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Seasonal Variations Affect An Individuals Mental Health

Posted 20-06-2012

Did you know that the month in which a baby is born affects their eyesight, eating habits, birth defects, and even mental health? According to study conducted by Queen Mary University of London, schizophrenia is more widespread among individuals born during winter months, especially January.

Past research has implied that the birth month of a child affects its mental health in later stages of life.

“Maternal infections, diet, certain seasonal fruits and vegetables may have an impact on a developing baby” said researcher Sreeram Ramagopalan, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London. “Also another key candidate is vitamin D, which is related to sunshine exposure. During the winter, with a lack of sunshine, moms tend to be very deficient in vitamin D.”

The study included almost 58,000 individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or recurrent depression as well as over 29 million people from England’s general population.

Study results found that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder had higher peaks during January and significant lows in July, August and September. Individuals with depression had peaks during May and a significant November deficit.

“This result is further confirmation of seasonal variations in births of those later diagnosed with mental diseases,” said William Grant at the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center at San Francisco, who did not take part in this research.

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Source:

PsychCentral.com