Research has shown that people with sleep disorders, especially insomnia, are at higher risk of dying from suicide. Moreover, symptoms of sleep disorders often overlap those of depression. In order to save lives, it is important to recognize the warning signs of suicide and what to do.
Consider these warning signs of suicide:
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk of suicide. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.
If you recognize these warning signs in someone you know, you must act to save their life. Start by immediately taking these steps:
- Do not leave the person alone
- Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
- Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
By knowing the warning signs of suicide and acting on your concerns, you may save the life of someone who needs your help. If needed, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a free, 24/7 service that can provide suicidal persons or those around them with support, information and local resources.
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In case you missed it, check out these new sleep articles for April. This month includes new content related to abnormal sleep behaviors called parasomnias. Learn how to cope with parasomnias as well as an interesting blend of medical science and law called sleep forensics. Answer the age-old questions of what bodily functions can occur during sleep, including sneezing and farting. Discover what to take when you can't sleep or, conversely, learn why you are able to sleep so easily. Finally, learn about two new alternative treatments for obstructive sleep apnea called the hypoglossal nerve stimulator and the tongue stabilizing device. There are plenty of great articles to keep you entertained and educated about sleep.
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I am often asked whether there might be a religious explanation for the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. It is a question that, as a person of both science and faith, deeply intrigues me. In the interest of full disclosure, aside from being a neurologist with an expertise in sleep, I am also Roman Catholic. And I have never myself experienced sleep paralysis.
I have, however, carefully reviewed the hundreds of accounts of sleep paralysis on this site. In fact, in order to gain a better understanding of people's experience of sleep paralysis, I conducted some informal research. I systematically analyzed the descriptors used in the accounts and presented my research findings at the University of Minnesota. These findings also served as the inspiration for two articles I have written on sleep paralysis, one describing the symptoms and the other regarding people's beliefs about the underlying causes.
Though some may posit a religious explanation for their experience of sleep paralysis - citing the devil, demons, spirits, and ghosts - I believe the phenomenon of sleep paralysis has a scientific explanation. As I describe elsewhere, it occurs when there is a breakdown between the states of sleep and consciousness, so that elements of the dream state (REM) can intrude upon wakefulness. In this mixed state, people will experience sleep paralysis (in fact, it can be triggered by disrupting REM in a sleep laboratory).
Parts of the brain that are often activated during REM can produce the fear and even religious experiences that people report (areas of the brain such as the amygdala and temporal lobe, respectively, are likely responsible for these symptoms). As an example, people with temporal lobe epilepsy often are highly religious (called hyperreligosity) and this part of the brain seems to be important to our experience of religion and our seeking faith.
The word hallucination is used medically to indicate an experience that does not have a basis in reality, presumably generated by the brain itself. Hallucinations may often be visual, auditory, or even tactile, all of which occur in sleep paralysis. We also understand now that parts of the brain may be in different states of consciousness at the same time. Though you may have returned to wakefulness, the region of the brain that might be driving the hallucination could persist in its state, resulting in the continued experience. (As a related example, some people have auditory hallucinations that occur in wakefulness in a condition called Exploding Head Syndrome.)
I certainly am intrigued by the phenomenon of sleep paralysis, but I am hesitant to give it a supernatural or religious explanation. Although we may not fully comprehend it, as we learn more about the brain and sleep, I believe we will be able to solidify our understanding.
What do you think? Can sleep paralysis be explained through neuroscience? Or does it represent a religious or spiritual experience? Share your thoughts below.
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If you struggle with insomnia, especially waking in the middle of the night, you may be excited to learn that a new treatment option is available starting today.
The prescription sleeping pill called Intermezzo hits pharmacy shelves in the United States today. It is designed to be safer to take in the middle of the night without causing morning drowsiness or a "hangover" effect.
The medication has similar side effects to the popular sleep aid named Ambien. This is because Intermezzo is a lower dose of the same ingredients found in the other prescription drug.
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