Sleep and suicidal behaviors.
L'Encephale June 1, 2026 Alix Romier, Jeanne Leseur, Anne Moroy et al.
Sleep disturbances—including insomnia, nightmares, abnormal sleep duration, and circadian rhythm disruptions—are consistently associated with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide deaths, independent of psychiatric disorders. Objective markers such as nocturnal wakefulness and REM sleep alterations further support this link. Potential mechanisms involve inflammation, neurotransmitter dysregulation, impaired prefrontal-limbic connectivity, and psychosocial factors like hopelessness and nocturnal isolation. Incorporating sleep-related interview questions, validated questionnaires, and actigraphy into suicide risk assessment may strengthen detection. Interventions targeting sleep, such as CBT-I, sleep medications, and Imagery Rehearsal Therapy, show promise in reducing suicidal ideation.