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Small shifts in diurnal rhythms are associated with an increase in suicide : the effect of daylight saving
journal contribution
posted on 2008-01-01, 00:00 authored by Michael BerkMichael Berk, Seetal DoddSeetal Dodd, Karen Hallam, Lesley BerkLesley Berk, J Gleeson, Margaret RogersLarge disruptions of chronobiological rhythms are documented as destabilizing individuals with bipolar disorder; however, the impact of small phase altering events is unclear. Australian suicide data from 1971 to 2001 were assessed to determine the impact on the number of suicides of a 1-h time shift due to daylight saving. The results confirm that male suicide rates rise in the weeks following the commencement of daylight saving, compared to the weeks following the return to eastern standard time and for the rest of the year. After adjusting for the season, prior to 1986 suicide rates in the weeks following the end of daylight saving remained significantly increased compared to the rest of autumn. This study suggests that small changes in chronobiological rhythms are potentially destabilizing in vulnerable individuals.
History
Journal
Sleep and biological rhythmsVolume
6Issue
1Pagination
22 - 25Publisher
Richmond, Vic.Location
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing AsiaPublisher DOI
ISSN
1446-9235eISSN
1479-8425Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2008, Wiley-Blackwell PublishingUsage metrics
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