Why sunny weather could reduce the risk of obsessive compulsive disorder

According to a new study, people living in less sun-exposed areas are more prone to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

American researchers analyzed many research papers and recorded the latitudes of each place studied. where there is more sun, reduces the risk of having an OCD.

OCD, which affects 2 to 3% of people at some point in their lives, involves ritual behavior such as constantly checking things, placing objects in a certain

"The results of this project are exciting because they provide additional evidence of a new way of thinking about OCD ",

Meredith Coles

" The results of this project are exciting because they provide additional evidence for a new obsessive-compulsive disorder, "said Meredith Coles, a professor of psychology at the University of Binghamton in the state of New York.

" More specifically, they show that living in areas with more sun is linked to lower rates of OCD, "she added.

All about the biological clock

It is thought that the reason for this link is the body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder often have trouble falling asleep and often wake up later in the morning to make up for the loss of sleep. "This delayed cycle of sleep and wake can reduce exposure to morning light, potentially contributing to a misalignment between our internal biology and the outer light-dark cycle," said Coles

"People who live in areas with less sunlight may have fewer opportunities to synchronize their circadian clock, leading to increased symptoms of OCD, "she said.

Latitude could be the key

s most prevalent at higher latitudes – areas where sun exposure is reduced – which places people living in these areas at an increased risk of developing and aggravate the symptoms of OCD. These regions have a higher prevalence of the disease than areas at lower latitudes.

The article entitled "Increasing the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder with latitude" was published in the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. health:

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