An investigation of the relationship between sleep patterns and suicidal tendencies in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Background Despite significant advances in medical science, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia remain among the most important psychiatric disorders of the current century. Suicide is a leading cause of death in them. Purpose This study aimed to examine and compare sleep patterns among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and their relationship to suicidal behaviour. Method The statistical population of the research includes all patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar disorders who were referred to Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah for treatment during the years 2019–2021. Data on 527 schizophrenia and 325 bipolar patients were collected through a census. Descriptive statistics methods of frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used. Also, a two-sample independent t-test and chi-square test were conducted. All analyses were done with SPSS-24 statistical software at an error level of 5%. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inquiry (PSQI) and Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ-R) were used in this research. Results In the current study, sleep quality and suicidal risk were correlated by type of psychiatric disorder. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between the two variables. According to these results, 129 patients with schizophrenia and 93 patients with bipolar disorder reported poor sleep quality. Also, the risk of suicidal behaviour was reported at a high level for 316 patients with schizophrenia and 169 patients with bipolar disorder. Conclusion Sleep disorders in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder need to be examined further, as early identification and treatment can positively affect a patient's prognosis and quality of life.