Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract Major depressive disorder is frequently associated with the disruption of the natural orderliness of rhythmic physiological processes such as sleep and endocrine function. Several hypotheses have been developed to account for this disturbance in biological rhythms, associated with depressive episodes, which are briefly reviewed. We previously postulated that depression may he the result of loss of “social Zeitgebers” (i.e., persons, social demands, or tasks that set the biological clock). We have been impressed with the need for investigations into how internal as well as external social and environmental factors may disrupt the integrity of biological rhythms. We now present the concept of a “Zeitstorer” (time disturber) which is envisioned as a physical, chemical, or psychosocial event which acts as a source for circadian rhythm disruption. The development of a Zeitstorer concept has led us to a revised hypothesis of rhythm disturbance and affective disorders. It is our expectation that this hypothesis can provide descriptive models for application in the study of human psychopathology, as well as potentially new therapeutic modes of treatment. Depression 1:285–293 (1993). © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ehlers et al. (Fri,) studied this question.