Is there a link between sunlight exposure and OCD?

Researchers in America claim that living at higher latitudes, where there is less sunlight, could increase the risk of developing OCD

Specialists at Binghamton University, New York, meticulously read through reports on where patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) were living, and recorded their locations’ latitudes (their angular distance north or south of the earth’s equator). They believe those living at higher latitudes, where sunlight is vastly reduced, are at greater risk of an OCD diagnosis. Countries recorded at the highest latitudes are Russia, northern Canada, and Greenland. Other countries at high latitudes include Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Reflecting on the results, Meredith Coles, professor of psychology at Binghamton, said: “The results of this project are exciting because they provide additional evidence for a new way of thinking about OCD. “Specifically, they show that living in areas with more sunlight is related to lower rates of OCD.” Researchers say that the science behind it could be the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, being out of line with nature. The study reports that this mismatch is easier to realign in sunlight than darkness. Experts added that people with OCD commonly have difficulty in falling asleep until later than desired. This can result in oversleeping to compensate for that lost sleep, and the delayed sleep-wake pattern may have adverse effects on OCD symptoms. Professor Coles continued: “This delayed sleep-wake pattern may reduce exposure to morning light, thereby potentially contributing to a misalignment between our internal biology and the external light-dark cycle. “People who live in areas with less sunlight may have less opportunities to synchronise their circadian clock, leading to increased OCD symptoms.” Specialists working on the study say that while it is too early to introduce specific treatment plans based on this new information, they will be carrying out more research. The team will also be exploring whether heightened exposure to morning light would be beneficial to people with OCD, potentially providing better treatments to address OCD symptoms.