Chronobiology and psychiatry : development of a conceptual model and integrative approach for South African psychiatrists

Abstract

Chronobiology developed slowly after it was recognised that rhythmicity was a fundamental property of life. However, the principles of chronobiology are not well integrated in clinical practice. Therefore, this dissertation aims to integrate neuroscientific knowledge in a curriculum for chronobiology to be presented to South African psychiatrists in training at UCT, and is one of several steps in a programme to promote the concept of chronobiology in psychiatry.