Credit: Augusta University Insomnia is a common problem in patients with schizophrenia, and a new study reinforces a close association between insomnia, more suicidal thoughts and actions and increased problems like anxiety and depression in these patients. It also provides more evidence that keeping tabs on how patients are sleeping -- and intervening when needed -- is important to their overall care. "We are now aware that significant insomnia is putting our patients at even higher risk for suicide, so if they are having changes in sleep patterns, if they are having significant insomnia, then we really need to hone in on those questions even more related to suicidal thinking and do what we can to help," says Dr. Brian Miller, psychiatrist and schizophrenia expert at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.