[REVISION HISTORY]

University of Sydney circadian depression research

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-26 07:17 UTC → 2026-10-27 01:11 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Researchers at the University of ~~Sydney~~ Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre have identified a new subtype of depression, termed ‘circadian depression’, which is linked to disruptions in the body’s internal 24-hour biological clock. The study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, analyzed clinical and genetic data from over 11,000 ~~participants in the Australian Genetics of Depression Study.~~ Australians with severe or recurrent depression. Findings indicate that approximately 23% of participants (2,604 individuals) met the criteria for this subtype. Key characteristics include seasonal symptom patterns, increased sleep duration during depressive episodes, waking feeling exhausted, and a tendency toward being a ‘night owl’. The research also noted ‘social jet lag’, where biological rhythms mismatch social routines. Individuals with this subtype may experience more severe symptoms, such as higher rates of mania, hypomania, psychotic experiences, suicidal ideation, earlier onset of illness, and weight gain. Genetic analysis suggests a higher predisposition to ADHD, inflammatory conditions, and cardiovascular issues. Notably, the study suggests this subtype may be more resistant to traditional treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), indicating that therapies targeting circadian rhythms, such as light therapy and melatonin-based treatments, may be more effective.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.