Research linking insomnia to an increased suicide risk has been extended to those without psychiatric illness. Previous studies have shown the association among the mentally ill and teenagers, but a new study suggests they are not the only populations at risk.
This latest research was presented by lead investigator Marcin Wojnar at the World Psychiatric Association International Congress in Italy. It examined the relationship between sleep problems and suicidal behaviors among 5,692 subjects. About a third of these individuals reported symptoms of insomnia over the previous year, including difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, or waking at least two hours earlier than desired. People with two or more of these symptoms were 2.6 times more likely to report a suicide attempt.
In particular, waking up too early seemed to convey the highest risk, with twice as many suicidal thoughts or plans and nearly three times as many suicide attempts. The underlying mechanism for this risk is unknown, but it may relate to poor judgment and cognitive function in the setting of decreased sleep or due to altered brain chemicals such as serotonin. This latest research does remind us to identify mood disorders, including risk of suicide, among those who suffer from insomnia.
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I always thought that when people were depressed the
pattern would usually be tons of sleep! I have never
heard of someone being depressed and having insomnia
as well. I suffer from clinical depression and Bipolar Disorder II. The “II” at the end of my 2nd Dx is a really important aspect to the descrpition as I have never been manic before, but I’ve been what’s called Hypomanic. Anyway, not only do or ever
did have Insomnia during any depression, I unfortunately go in the other direction more towards
the sleep disorder, known as HyperSomnia. It sucks just as bad as Insomnia, according to those people who have had both troubling sleep disorders.
You are indeed correct. Depression can cause either an increased or decreased desire for sleep. Early-morning awakenings, such as well before the alarm clock goes off, are also associated with depression.
Dr. Peters
100% accurate….usually when you are depressed you sleep.but when you are depressed enough where your subconcious gets involved then you cannot sleep which then turns into an insomnia state of mind….suicidal thoughts become rampant
insomnia is terrible. no matter how much you try to fall asleep, the harder it will become. it is a bad cycle, enough to make you lose your mind. it is also very depressing when you go to bed at night knowing that the next day will be another day of torture…
You all know nothing about insomnia. I have probably one of the worst cases there has ever been, I haven’t slept a goodnight
sleep in days and it’s driving me insane. It is torture. If there is a hell then insomnia is the closest thing to it that I’ve experienced, it’s killing me. And I don’t know how to get rid of it all the doctors ever do is take blood and say idk what’s wrong with you they never
fix it and I can see myself going insane in the near future
My best friend had suffered from a combo of th etwo for quite some time. He just took his life last weekend friday the 4th i believe. very sad my thoughts are with anyone in the same boat!
I have had insomnia since April 19th and I can definantly understand how someone would consider suicide as a way to escape this hell that I am living in.
Yes i agree, I’m sitting here at 4 am on the internet and unable to sleep again. I don’t know how much more I can take, it’s been going on for a long time and now my back aches from tossing and turning during the night. I am getting a sleep study done, but everything feels like it’s all too hard. I just don’t know how much more I can take.
I listen to Gary Null In the last ten years, he is about reality & the truth, I kind of knew why I didnt sleep befor I listen to him, now he confirmed it. not a easy fix for all, but he has a cure.
i suffered sleep disorder when i was a teenager until now.. i sleep at morning till afternoon then wake up all night.. but its affecting my study.. im a graduating student and im over 2 years overstayed from college because of this illness.. sometimes i dont go to school early mornig because i have no sleep or im lack of sleep. sometimes i dont sleep at all.. im a wake for 24-36 hours.. and im suffering depresion that i cant graduate.. sometimes i think i will commit suicide.. i dont know why.. but last time i commit it but it was not done because i control my self not to do it i nearly hang my self.. now my parents told me that this is the last semester and last time they will enroll me to school.. i dont know what will happen now if i cant graduate.. im to depress
here’s a fact from my experience..
problem + sleep disorder = 2x-4x chance of suicide
i am agree cause i cant fall asleep and thinking just about sucide to help myself but i am not enough powerful to do it
My 34 year old son, a physician, had been battling chronic and severe insomnia for several months and refused to take any prescribed sleep medication.
One particular week he became desperate several days of inability to sleep. At the end of the week, he ingested over 300 Tylenol PM!
He died a horrific death after been admitted to ICU for nearly 3 weeks.
The fact that he was physician has baffled everyone as no doctor in his right mind would choose this approach to suicide.
We are convinced that the sleep deprivation caused him to snap. His death shocked everyone who knew him as he displayed no signs of depression or issues in his life.
My wife falsely accused me of trying to kill her. I was jailed for a year and subsequently convicted of a misdemeanor assault. I had no record prior to this. I lost my career and home and have not seen my 3 yr old son in over a year. This is my wifes 3rd failed marriage and I’m the one who wanted the divorce. She bragged about how she’d ruin my life and how no one would believe me b/c she “knows how to play the game.” She was right. The YWCA was there to help her make her false claims and the court treated me like dirt. I tried to stand up for myself and they punished me more for my “lack of accountability.” How do you move on with no justice?
Anyway, here it is 3:30am again. I normally wake up at 1am or 2am, then I’m up w/ racing thoughts. I think I have some serious depression and PTSD. The only thing keeping me here is my son, who I never see. I use melatonin and diphenhydramine, but they only get me through 3-4 hrs sleep at the most. Ultimately, I’d like to get my nerve up to go to the mountains, find a tree with a pretty view and hang myself from it.
No matter the depths of your depression or insomnia, it is not worth taking your own life. Anyone who has active thoughts of suicide is encouraged to reach out for help.
Speak with your family, friends, employer, physician, or religious leader. If you do not have a trusted confidant, you can always be evaluated for mental health services at a local emergency department.
For those who prefer anonymous help, speak with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling toll free 1-800-273-TALK. Further information is available online at:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Dr. Peters
chronic insomnia leads to depression. When I have had 10 nights in a row with only a few hours sleep at a time, I have to use all my willpower to fight off suicidal ideation. You become trapped in a living hell, overwhelmed with desperation and disorientation, and a part of the mind starts looking for drastic solutions to the problem. Suicide becomes a potential way out of the entrapment. Chronic insomnia, particularly maintenance insomnia, an truly devastating mental condition, its effects on mental health are so under-appreciated.
Where it not for sleeping pills, anti depressants and therapy I might not be alive now.