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Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
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Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 31, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
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Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

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The relationship between nightmares, depression and suicide.

Anna Karin Hedström1, Rino Bellocco2,3, Ola Hössjer4

  • 1Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Sleep Medicine: X
|August 19, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Nightmares do not directly increase suicide risk. However, nightmares may indicate underlying depression, which is strongly linked to suicide incidence. Treating both conditions may be beneficial.

Keywords:
DepressionMediation analysisNightmaresProspective cohort studySuicide

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Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Epidemiology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Previous research on the link between nightmares and suicide has produced conflicting results.
  • Understanding the relationship between nightmares, depression, and suicide is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct and indirect influence of nightmares on suicide incidence.
  • To determine if depression mediates the relationship between nightmares and suicide.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study of 40,902 participants with a 19-year follow-up.
  • Cox proportional hazards models and mediation analysis were employed.
  • Suicide incidence was analyzed as a function of depression and nightmare presence.

Main Results:

  • No association was found between nightmares and suicide incidence in participants without depression.
  • In depressed participants, nightmare presence did not alter suicide incidence.
  • Nightmares were associated with a higher incidence of depression during follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Nightmares do not appear to directly influence suicide rates.
  • Nightmares may serve as an indicator of pre-existing depression.
  • Combined interventions for depression and nightmares may offer therapeutic advantages.