Circadian rhythm disruption is related to self-diagnosis of mental illness

Purpose: The goal of this research was to examine the relationship between self-reported circadian disruption during the week and on weekends, and self-diagnosis of mental illness. It was hypothesized that circadian disruption would be associated with mental illness self-diagnosis. Methods: Using previously collected data wherein undergraduate students completed a series of questionnaires we examined Weekday bedtime/waketime variability, measured via question two from the Sleep Disorders Symptom Check List – 25, and calculated social jetlag score, examining these as a function of Mental Illness Diagnosis Category and Sex. Results: Increased circadian disruption was significantly associated with more self-diagnosed mental illnesses (r =.10, p <.01), as well as with increased uncertainty about mental health status (r =.10, p =.004), while decreased circadian disruption was associated with fewer mental illnesses. Women reported more self- (Women X = 0.47, sd = 0.74; Men X = 0.26, sd = 0.67) and clinical (Women X = 0.61, sd = 1.0; Men X = 0.24, sd = 0.24) mental illness diagnoses than men. Conclusions: It is not known if the circadian disruption-mental illness self-diagnosis and uncertainty relationship is directly casual, or mediated by negative behaviors associated with such disruption, including social media usage or sleep loss. Regardless, the findings have implications for shift workers, college students, and for other individuals who do not maintain a ‘regular’ sleep schedule.