While reading the following article I started thinking about physical issues versus psychological issues concerning sleep deprivation. Studies have shown that people who get less sleep (less than 6 hours) are known to have high blood pressure and increased risk for diabetes. People with sleep apnea are at higher risk for coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes and hypertension. Physical problems are bad enough...now adding insult to injury there is evidence that sleep problems can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
It is known that sleep deprivation can cause depression and mood swings, so it’s not surprising that disturbed sleep might be the cause of some suicides. The disturbing part of this is the question ---how many suicides are linked to sleep deprivation? Could these suicides been detoured if the problem had been diagnosed earlier. We’ll never have the answer to this question. It seems realistic for a physicians of all specialties to be proactive in screening patients for sleep problems who have symptoms of depression or are having mood swings and excess agitation. I don’t think that “screening” means simply asking “are you getting enough sleep?”
Proactive physicians are the physicians that administer a sleep questionnaire and collect sleep history when treating patients with these symptoms. Internal medicine and family practice doctors are starting to recognize the importance of identifying sleep issues in their practice. I’m sure many people who experience sleep problems in combination with depression don’t seek professional help. That’s why community awareness is a key factor when trying to decrease these statistics.
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Nightmares and Other Sleep Disturbances are Common in People who Attempt Suicide
Sleep disturbances are common in people who have attempted suicide, and
a strong link exists between nightmares and suicidal thoughts or
behaviors.
Associated Professional Sleep Societies
Sleep | 01/01/2007
Sleepeducation.com Research Summary
Study Title
Nightmares and Sleep Disturbances in Relation to Suicidality in Suicide Attempters
Publication
The January 1, 2007, issue of the journal Sleep
Goal
To study specific sleep problems in people who have attempted suicide
Importance
There is evidence that sleep problems can increase the risk of suicide.
Results
- Sleep problems are common in people who have attempted suicide.
- Eighty-nine percent of the study group reported some kind of sleep problem.
- There is a strong link between nightmares and suicidal thinking or behavior.
- Common complaints among people who attempt suicide include trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and waking up too early.
What it Means to You
- You should talk to your doctor if you have an ongoing problem with nightmares or other sleep disturbances.
- Doctors should look for nightmares and other sleep problems in people with suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Participants
The study involved 165 people who were admitted to medical units
or psychiatric wards after a suicide attempt. They were between 18 and
68 years old. There were 129 women and 36 men.
Study Design
Cross-sectional study
Study Methods
A face-to-face interview was conducted with each study group
member. Participants also rated their symptoms with two self-reporting
assessments.
Limits of the Study
- The study does not show that nightmares cause suicidal thoughts or behavior.
- The study lacked a control group of mentally ill people who are non-suicidal.
Lead Author
Nisse Sjöström, RN, of the Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University in Sweden
Conflicts of Interest
This was not an industry supported study.
Funding/Support
The study was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council.
View the study abstract online.
Reviewed by David A. Kristo, MD
Updated January 30, 2007
Sleep Strategist
