LOS ANGELES – The relationship between depression, suicidality, and insomnia is more complex than once thought. Insomnia might contribute to the other problems and make them worse, instead of simply being a symptom of depression.
Dr. Vaughn McCall, professor and chairman of the department of psychiatry and health behavior at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, is running a randomized trial to see whether the judicious use of zolpidem (Ambien CR) improves the moods and outlooks of depressed patients on SSRIs who have active suicidal ideation. The results are still a few years away. In the meantime, he explains in this video from the American Association of Suicidology annual meeting that new or worsening insomnia cannot be ignored in depression. He also describes how to safely prescribe sleeping pills when necessary.