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What role do nightmares play in suicide? A brief exploration
Caitlin E Titus1, Katrina J Speed1, Patricia M Cartwright1
1Department of Psychology, Mississippi State University, MS, USA.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|August 29, 2017
Summary
Nightmares are linked to increased suicide risk, even when considering other mental health conditions. Early research is exploring how nightmares contribute to suicidal behavior, aiming for better prediction and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health Research
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Suicide rates in the U.S. have been increasing annually for over a decade.
- Nightmares are independently associated with suicidal behavior, separate from depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
- The precise mechanisms linking nightmares to suicide risk are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of nightmares in suicidal behavior.
- To explore potential intervention and prediction strategies for suicidal behaviors related to nightmares.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews existing research on the association between nightmares and suicidal behavior.
- It examines the challenges in identifying causal factors and the rarity of nightmare screening and treatment.
- Current research is beginning to uncover the underlying mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Nightmares are a significant factor associated with suicidal behavior.
- Existing psychiatric risk factors do not fully account for the link between nightmares and suicide.
- Progress in understanding this link is hindered by infrequent reporting, screening, and treatment of nightmares.
Conclusions:
- Nightmares represent a potential, yet under-addressed, risk factor for suicidal behavior.
- Further research into the mechanisms of nightmares is crucial for developing effective interventions and predictive models for suicide prevention.
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