EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS – AS POSSIBLE SUICIDAL EQUIVALENT IN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

ELVIRA KOIĆ; Slađana Štrkalj-Ivezić; MIROSLAV VENUS; Nada John

Lijecnicki vjesnik 2011;133(7-8)

EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS – AS POSSIBLE SUICIDAL EQUIVALENT IN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

ELVIRA KOIĆ, Slađana Štrkalj-Ivezić, MIROSLAV VENUS, Nada John

Abstract

This paper presents the case of a patient suffering from atypical depression, with excessive daytime sleepiness, which was a suicidal equivalent. Patients who suffer from depression and sleep disorders can have an increased risk of suicidality, and to them should pay increased attention. Field of suicide as a means of resolving conflicts and unconscious mental escape from the reality of the obstacles, including sleep and daytime sleepiness, which may represent a form of »temporary suicide«. The authors recommend that hypersomnia, daytime sleepiness in depressed patients and other sleep disorders should be treated as a potential risk factor for suicidal behavior.

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