- A new review of studies by New Mexico State University and University of Nevada, Las Vegas has warned that daylight saving time (DST) may pose serious risks to individuals with chronic mental illnesses.
- Scientists found that the one-hour time shift caused by DST acts as a population-wide circadian stressor.
- People suffering from conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and psychotic disorders face particularly heightened risks following the time shift, according to the review published in Brain Sciences .
- The review highlights that DST transitions are “associated with increased sleep disturbance, impaired executive functioning, reduced attention and working memory, heightened emotional reactivity, increased depressive symptoms, elevated risk of manic episodes”.
- Scientists recommend that clinicians provide anticipatory guidance to patients, while researchers suggest that permanent standard time, which better aligns with natural light, would be more beneficial for public mental health .
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