Suicide and the Nightmarish Life

This study reveals that nightmares are associated with suicidality and that sleep dysfunction is prevalent among people who attempt suicide.

These authors assessed the prevalence of nightmares among suicide attempters and tested the associations between specific sleep disturbances and suicidality.

Of 323 patients hospitalized after a suicide attempt, 165 (22% men; 25% with less than a high school education) underwent a structured clinical interview to assess Axis I psychiatric disorders. Sleep dysfunction was studied using the Uppsala Sleep Inventory. Symptom intensity was assessed using anxiety and depression subscales of the CPRS Self Rating Scale for Affective Syndromes. Suicidality was assessed with the Suicide Assessment Scale (SUAS).

Of the cohort, 89% reported sleep disturbances of some kind, and two thirds reported having nightmares. Having frequent nightmares was the only…

Reviewing Author

Gregory Fricchione, MD

Suicide and the Nightmarish Life

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Reviewing Author