Is Disturbed Sleep a Clinically Useful Marker to Determine the Suicide Risk in Patients With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

In this letter to the editor, the authors draw particular attention to the association of suicidality with disturbed sleep among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Some of the links that may exist between posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep abnormalities, & suicidal behaviour are briefly outlined. It is concluded that it is reasonable to suggest that disturbed sleep may be a clinically useful marker of suicide risk in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Further research is warranted. (5 refs.)