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Disturbed Sleep in PTSD: Thinking Beyond Nightmares.
Marike Lancel1,2, Hein J F van Marle3,4, Maaike M Van Veen1
1Centre of Expertise on Sleep and Psychiatry, GGZ Drenthe Mental Health Institute, Assen, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|December 13, 2021
Summary
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is complexly linked to sleep disturbances, including insomnia and nightmares. Understanding these reciprocal relations is key for effective treatment and future research into improved therapies for both conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are common in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Insomnia and nightmares are considered core PTSD symptoms, but the relationship is more complex.
- PTSD is associated with various sleep disorders, impacting treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a literature overview of sleep disorders comorbid with PTSD.
- To explore the reciprocal relationship between disturbed sleep and PTSD.
- To discuss neurophysiological mechanisms, diagnostics, and interventions for sleep disturbances in PTSD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of prevalent comorbid sleep disorders in PTSD.
- Analysis of the reciprocal relationship and underlying neurophysiological mechanisms.
- Description of diagnostic procedures and standard interventions, focusing on non-pharmacological therapies.
Main Results:
- PTSD is linked to a wide spectrum of sleep disorders, not just insomnia and nightmares.
- Disturbed sleep significantly influences PTSD outcomes.
- Non-pharmacological therapies are highlighted as first-choice interventions.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between sleep disturbances and PTSD is intricate and bidirectional.
- Effective management requires addressing sleep issues alongside PTSD symptoms.
- Future research should focus on multidisciplinary approaches for novel sleep therapies in PTSD.
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