[Insomniac symptoms and suicidality-link and management].

Abstract

Background: A link between insomniac symptoms and suicidality has long been suspected and deserves specific attention.

Objective: We examine the current evidence for this relationship from epidemiology and neurobiology in order to propose a targeted management.

Material and method: Clinical example and selective Medline-literature research for insomnia symptoms and suicidality.

Results: Epidemiological data and statistical analysis show that symptoms of insomnia are independent risk factors for suicidality. Neurobiological factors associated with combined insomnia symptoms and suicidality are: serotonergic dysfunction and circadian rhythm disorder leading to hypofrontality with reduced problem solving capacity and impaired emotional and impulse-control. Social isolation, recurrent rumination, comorbid psychiatric disorders, access to potentially lethal drugs or weapons need urgent evaluation in patients with a combination of suicidality and symptoms of insomnia.

Conclusion: patients with insomnia and further risk factors for suicide need to be treated resolutely and at an early stage. Modern sleep-promoting antidepressants with low toxicity and antipsychotics must be preferred in the treatment of patients with insomniac sleep disorders and suicidality. Multimodal anti-insomnia and anti-depressive therapy adapted to the circadian rhythm can exert a favorable influence both on depressive-suicidal and insomnia symptoms and their inherent risks.