Study finds possible link Between Sleep Issues, Substance Use, and Suicidal Thoughts in Depressed Adolescents - Video
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Overview
Sleep difficulties and misuse of drugs/alcohol have been associated with suicidal ideation in young people. Using cross-sectional representative surveys of adolescents, the researchers conducted adjusted logistic regression modeling to assess the relationships between sleep difficulties, substance use, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with a history of depression.
Data were analyzed from 66,422 adolescents aged between 12-17 years. 38,418 participants responded affirmatively to the mental illness screener. Among those, 11.6% reported thinking about suicide, 5.7% reported planning a suicide attempt and 3.8% reported making a suicide attempt. 16.7% reported sleep difficulties. Of the analytical sample, 2.8% reported alcohol abuse/dependence and 4.6% reported illicit drug dependence or abuse.
In those reporting alcohol abuse/dependence, sleep difficulties were associated with attempting suicide. In those reporting illicit drug abuse/dependence, sleep difficulties were associated with thinking about and attempting suicide.
So the authors observed a significant association between sleep difficulties and suicidal ideation (e.g., thinking about) among adolescents who reported symptoms of a major depressive episode. These findings are consistent with extensive evidence linking sleep difficulties with mental health concerns, such as suicidal ideation.
Ref: Rebecca Robbins, Matthew D. Weaver et al, Exploring sleep difficulties, alcohol, illicit drugs, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with a history of depression,
Psychiatry Research, 2024, 116116, ISSN 0165-1781, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116116.
Speakers
Dr. Nandita Mohan
BDS, MDS( Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry)
Dr. Nandita Mohan is a practicing pediatric dentist with more than 5 years of clinical work experience. Along with this, she is equally interested in keeping herself up to date about the latest developments in the field of medicine and dentistry which is the driving force for her to be in association with Medical Dialogues. She also has her name attached with many publications; both national and international. She has pursued her BDS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and later went to enter her dream specialty (MDS) in the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry from Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences. Through all the years of experience, her core interest in learning something new has never stopped. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751
