Lifestyle regularity and cyclothymic symptomatology

Abstract

The social zeitgeber theory emphasizes the importance that social rhythm regularity may play in promoting internal synchronization of circadian rhythms in individuals with or at risk for bipolar spectrum disorders. This study examined the relationship of lifestyle regularity, affective symptomatology, and sleep in 71 individuals exhibiting cyclothymic mood and behavior patterns. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group in which they were encouraged to regulate their daily routines or to a control group. Participants in the experimental group were able to successfully regulate their daily schedules. Although relationships between regularity and severity of depressive symptoms, across‐day variances in mood and behavior, and sleep duration were identified during baseline, increased lifestyle regularity did not differentially result in changes in these variables. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 1–19, 2008.