People with chronic sleep problems may face increased risk of suicide, according to a study.
The BBC reported the study found that among more than sleep disorders suffered by a person more likely to have thoughts of suicide or planning or trying to commit suicide.
The research presented at the Congress of the World Psychiatric Association in Florence, Italy, warns physicians to be alert if a patient reports of sleep problems, even if you have a history of mental health disorders.
The World Health Organization estimates that about 877,000 people worldwide kill themselves each year.
And for every suicide death, there are 40 suicide attempts.
In the past scientists have linked sleep problems with an increased risk of suicidal behavior in people with psychiatric disorders and in adolescents.
But so far it is unclear whether this association is also applicable in the general population.
The team of researchers from the University of Michigan, U.S., discussed during a year the relationship between sleep problems and suicidal behavior in U.S. 5693.
During the year 2.6% of participants had suicidal thoughts, and 0.5% carried out a suicide attempt.
The scientists analyzed three Alteril types of sleep problems: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep and waking at least two hours earlier than desired.
The researchers took into account factors such as substance abuse, depression, anxiety disorders, physical illnesses and other social factors such as marital and financial status.
People with two or more symptoms of insomnia, the authors showed 2.6 times more likely to have carried out a suicide attempt than those who slept without difficulty.
The tendency more strongly related to suicidal behavior was waking earlier than desired.
According to Dr. Marcin Wojnar, who led the study, “the presence of sleep problems should alert doctors to monitor these patients by an increased risk of suicide, even if they have a psychiatric disorder.”
“Our study also suggests the possibility that an analysis of sleep problems could reduce the risk of suicidal behavior,” he adds.
Troubled psyche
The scientist says that sleep disorders and suicidal thoughts may be the manifestation of a troubled psyche, or the lack of sleep drives people to think about suicide.
But it also explains that there could be an underlying physiological link between these two factors so far unknown.
Experts believe that lack of sleep may affect how the brain works, causing wrong judgments and less ability to control impulses.
It is also suspected that both sleep disorders and suicidal thoughts may be related to an imbalance of serotonin, a brain chemical responsible for regulating mood.
Dr Daniel Freeman, Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, says this study shows that insomnia is very common and can have a significant effect on the psychological wellbeing of the person.
“It’s very plausible that suicidal thoughts that occur when we are depressed and difficult to realize that we can solve our problems are related to insomnia,” says the expert.
“However, remember that insomnia is very common whereas suicidal thoughts are not as common, because most people with insomnia can be managed well the effects of the disorder.