Many believe that sleep disturbances in children stem from their natural sleep patterns and will improve over time without intervention. Recent research indicates that these sleep issues may be more serious than previously thought. A study conducted by the Stanford Suicide Prevention Research Laboratory in California reveals a strong connection between sleep disturbances at age 10 and a significantly increased risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts later in life. The findings show that children with sleep disruptions are 2.7 times more likely to experience suicidal ideation and attempt suicide by age 12, highlighting the urgent need for early intervention and addressing sleep problems in children to safeguard their mental health.
The study found that at least one in three participants reported experiencing suicidal thoughts following sleep disturbances. Dr Rebecca Bernert, founder of the Stanford Suicide Prevention Research Lab, emphasised that poor sleep might be a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughts or events in young people. She stressed the importance of addressing sleep issues without indifference, advising that early treatment based on the specific problems is essential to prevent potential suicides. Dr Bernert’s findings underscore the need for heightened awareness and proactive intervention when sleep disturbances arise in children and adolescents.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14, according to study. It is noteworthy that the participants of this age group also reported that they had trouble sleeping. The study involved approximately 8,800 children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study at 21 sites in the United States. In the study, it was revealed that many abnormal things related to sleep were noticed by the parents of the children, such as not being able to fall asleep, not being able to maintain that sleep even after falling asleep, falling asleep more than normal, and sweating a lot during sleep
The study revealed that factors like depression, anxiety, stress, and family conflicts also play a role in increasing the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Experiencing nightmares, similar to facing distressing events daily, was linked to a five-fold increase in the risk of developing suicidal tendencies. The research further showed that in youth at risk for suicide, sleep disturbances, especially related to when they fall asleep and wake up, intensify suicidal thoughts in the days and weeks that follow.
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