I’ve Got Rhythm, Who Could Ask for Anything More (to Avoid Relapse)?

Light, as a natural zeitgeber, is well known to affect mood. Social cues (e.g., meals, meetings, or exercise) also may entrain circadian rhythm. Does lack of social rhythms or their disruption result in mood instability that precipitates the onset of affective episodes? These researchers examined social rhythm regularity and its effect on vulnerability to bipolar episodes.

Approximately 20,500 college students were screened in two phases (self-reported inventory and diagnostic interview) to obtain 57 students with cyclothymic or bipolar disorder not otherwise specified and 149 students with bipolar II disorder (individuals with bipolar I were not studied). Fewer than one third received treatment during follow-up. The control group consisted …