Dimensions of temperament and bright light response in seasonal affective disorder

Abstract

Scale scores on the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ)—novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA), and reward dependence (RD)—can predict response to antidepressants. This study examined 89 patients with Bipolar Disorder (I, II) or Major Depressive Disorder, both with recurrent winter seasonal pattern. The TPQ was administered while the patients were depressed, following 10–14 days of bright light therapy (30 min, 10,000 lux) and after spontaneous springtime remission. The Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale—Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) assessed the severity of depression. At baseline, there were no significant differences between diagnostic subgroups or responders and non-responders on the TPQ or SIGH-SAD scales, though baseline RD scores were significantly higher in women than men. Furthermore, neither severity of depression nor magnitude of post-treatment clinical improvement was significantly correlated with baseline TPQ scores. Only HA scores decreased after treatment, with responders showing the greatest effect. HA scores also decreased from the baseline to springtime assessments for the group as a whole, with no difference between responders and non-responders. This is the first study to demonstrate that HA is state- rather than trait-dependent in seasonal affective disorder. The TPQ dimensions of temperament do not predict response to light therapy.