Childhood sleep disturbance and risk of psychotic experiences at 18: UK birth cohort

A Thompson; S T Lereya; G Lewis; S Zammit; H L Fisher; D Wolke

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.144089

Childhood sleep disturbance and risk of psychotic experiences at 18: UK birth cohort

Br J Psychiatry. 2015 Jul;207(1):23-9. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.113.144089. Epub 2015 May 7.

Authors

A Thompson¹, S T Lereya², G Lewis², S Zammit², H L Fisher², D Wolke²

Affiliations

¹ A. Thompson, MD, FRCPsych, Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of Warwick, Coventry; S. T. Lereya, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry; G. Lewis, PhD, MRCPsych, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London; S. Zammit, PhD, MRCPsych, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff and Centre for Academic Mental Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol; H. L. Fisher, PhD, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London; D. Wolke, PhD, Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing and Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK Andrew.d.thompson@warwick.ac.uk.
² A. Thompson, MD, FRCPsych, Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of Warwick, Coventry; S. T. Lereya, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry; G. Lewis, PhD, MRCPsych, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London; S. Zammit, PhD, MRCPsych, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff and Centre for Academic Mental Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol; H. L. Fisher, PhD, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London; D. Wolke, PhD, Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing and Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbances are commonly reported in the psychosis prodrome, but rarely explored in relation to psychotic experiences.

Aims: To investigate the relationship between specific parasomnias (nightmares, night terrors and sleepwalking) in childhood and later adolescent psychotic experiences.

Method: The sample comprised 4720 individuals from a UK birth cohort. Mothers reported on children's experience of regular nightmares at several time points between 2 and 9 years. Experience of nightmares, night terrors and sleepwalking was assessed using a semi-structured interview at age 12. Psychotic experiences were assessed at ages 12 and 18 using a semi-structured clinical interview.

Results: There was a significant association between the presence of nightmares at 12 and psychotic experiences at 18 when adjusted for possible confounders and psychotic experiences at 12 (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.19-2.20). The odds ratios were larger for those who reported persistent psychotic experiences.

Conclusions: The presence of nightmares might be an early risk indicator for psychosis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Cohort Studies
Dreams / psychology*
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Mothers
Parasomnias / psychology*
Psychotic Disorders
Risk Factors
United Kingdom

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding