Certain Birth Seasons May Increase The Risk Of Mood Disorders

Our birth month may ultimately determine if we're more likely to be at risk for certain mood disorders, according to findings that will be presented at the European College of CNP Congress in Berlin.

A long history of astrology reveals that our birth months might have something to do with our personality traits. Yet only recently has medical science suggested that our birth date could ultimately influence our temperaments, as well.

"Biochemical studies have shown that the season in which you are born has an influence on certain monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which is detectable even in adult life. This led us to believe that birth season may have a longer-lasting effect. Our work looked at over 400 subjects and matched their birth season to personality types in later life. Basically, it seems that when you are born may increase or decrease your chance of developing certain mood disorders," said lead study author, assistant professor Xenia Gonda.

Study results revealed that people who were born in the summertime were more likely than others born in the winter to deal with a cyclothymic temperament, which involves the characterization of rapid mood swings. Individuals born in the spring and the summer were also more likely to have hyperthermic temperament-otherwise known as a tendency to be very positive.

Those born in the winter were also less likely to be irritable when compared to people born during other seasons, while those born during the fall months also had a lower tendency for depressive tempermanets.

"Seasons affect our mood and behavior. Even the season at our birth may influence our subsequent risk for developing certain medical conditions, including some mental disorders. What's new from this group of researchers is the influence of season at birth and temperament," concluded professor Eduard Vieta.