Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the seasonal incidence of mania in a new Southern Hemisphere location. Method: Using the Tasmanian psychiatric database, monthly admission rates were compared with expected admission rates for mania for the period 1983 to 1989. ICD-9 criteria for mania single episode (296.0) and mania recurrent episodes (296.1) were used, excluding individuals with a bipolar disorder (296.4 to 296.89). Results: One thousand three hundred and twenty-eight persons were admitted during this period. There was a significant monthly variation with admissions occurring most commonly in the summer, but this was not consistent during the seven year period. Conclusions: There was a statistically significant but inconstant summer excess. The inconstancy of the finding suggests that the phenomenon is not a simple consequence of light duration, and closer examination of these inconsistencies may lead to further elucidation of the phenomenon.
History
Publication title
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Volume
29
Issue
3
Pagination
449-453
ISSN
0004-8674
Department/School
Medicine
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Asia
Publication status
Published
Place of publication
54 University St, P O Box 378, Carlton, Australia, Victoria, 3053