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Nightmares as predictors of suicide
A Tanskanen1, J Tuomilehto, H Viinamäki
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Kuopio and Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. antti@tanskanen@kuh.fi
Sleep
|October 31, 2001
Summary
Experiencing nightmares, even occasionally, is linked to a higher risk of suicide. Frequent nightmares significantly increase suicide risk, highlighting a direct association in the general population.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Nightmares are a common sleep disturbance.
- The association between nightmare frequency and suicide risk remains underexplored in general populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the frequency of nightmare experiences and the subsequent risk of suicide.
- To determine if a dose-response relationship exists between nightmare frequency and suicide risk.
Main Methods:
- A prospective follow-up study conducted in the general population of Finland.
- Data collected from 36,211 participants aged 25-64 years via questionnaires and health examinations.
- Suicide deaths (n=159) identified through national registers and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression, controlling for confounders.
Main Results:
- A direct, graded association was observed between nightmare frequency and suicide risk.
- Individuals reporting occasional nightmares had a 57% higher adjusted risk of suicide.
- Those with frequent nightmares exhibited a 105% higher adjusted risk of suicide compared to those without nightmares.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of a direct and graded association between nightmare frequency and suicide mortality in a general population.
- Nightmare frequency may serve as a potential indicator for suicide risk assessment.