Depression has typically been framed as a chemical imbalance, but a report from New Scientist highlights another possible driver: the body clock. Researchers now estimate that as many as one in four cases of depression may be linked to disrupted circadian rhythms.
The proposed mechanism is an off-kilter internal clock, which can affect sleep, hormone release, and mood regulation. Because the root cause differs from the classic chemical-imbalance model, the report suggests treatment could look different too.
Potential interventions include melatonin therapies and early morning sun exposure, both aimed at resetting the body's daily rhythm. The findings point toward a more personalised approach, though the article does not claim this explains every case.