Citation

Havaki-Kontaxaki BJ, Papalias E, Kontaxaki ME, Papadimitriou GN. Psychiatrike 2010; 21(4): 324-331.

Affiliation

1st Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Hellēnikē Psychiatrikē Hetaireia)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21914615

Abstract

Seasonality of suicidal behavior has been investigated regarding both neuro-biological and climatic factors, as well as psycho-pathological and social aspects. Most of the studies detected peaks in late spring and troughs in the winter. Several lines of evidence evaluated the role of extended periods of light associated with probability of suicides whereas others summarize the alterations of melatonin excretion and its seasonal variation along with seasonal distribution of psychiatric disorders. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of studies attempted to reach an explanatory model of underlying patho-physiology of melatonin in the pathogenesis of seasonal variation in suicidality. There is argument on the interconnection between suicide rates and weather factors. However, an inverse pattern of melatonin levels and the seasonal peak in suicides was observed. These findings suggest that sunlight exposure along with a wide spectrum of other factors may explain the aetio-pathogenesis of suicidal behavior.

Language: en