The season you were born in could have a significant effect on your mood later in life.
Birth month has often been associated with certain personality traits through methods such as astrology, but new medical research suggests the season a person is born can have an influence on their risk of affected temperaments, the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology reported.
"Biochemical studies have shown that the season in which you are born has an influence on certain monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which is detectable even in adult life. This led us to believe that birth season may have a longer-lasting effect. Our work looked at over 400 subjects and matched their birth season to personality types in later life. Basically, it seems that when you are born may increase or decrease your chance of developing certain mood disorders," said lead researcher, Assistant Professor Xenia Gonda.
The researchers are still not sure what causes this phenomenon but are working to determine if certain genetic markers are involved in the link between birth season and mood disorder.
The team found individuals born in the summer had a higher rate of cyclothymic temperament ("characterized by rapid, frequent swings between sad and cheerful moods"). Those born in the spring or summer were also more likely to exhibit Hyperthymic temperament, meaning they were "excessively positive."
People who were born in the winter were found to be less likely to be irritable while those born in the autumn showed resistance to depression.
"Temperaments are not disorders but biologically driven behavioral and emotional trends. Although both genetic and environmental factors are involved in one's temperament, now we know that the season at birth plays a role too. And the finding of 'high mood' tendency (hyperthymic temperament) for those born in summer is quite intriguing," Professor Eduard Vieta commented for the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology.
The findings will be presented at the European College of CNP Congress in Berlin.
