Janeese A Brownlow1,2, Katherine E Miller3, Philip R Gehrman2,3. 1. Department of Psychology, College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware, USA. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. 3. Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Sleep disturbances, insomnia and recurrent nightmares in particular, are among the most frequently endorsed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present review provides a summary of the prevalence estimates and methodological challenges presented by sleep disturbances in PTSD, highlights the recent evidence for empirically supported psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions for comorbid sleep disturbances implicated in PTSD, and provides a summary of recent findings on integrated and sequential treatment approaches to ameliorate comorbid sleep disturbances in PTSD. RECENT FINDINGS: Insomnia, recurrent nightmares, and other sleep disorders are commonly endorsed among individuals with PTSD; however, several methodological challenges contribute to the varying prevalence estimates. Targeted sleep-focused therapeutic interventions can improve sleep symptoms and mitigate daytime PTSD symptoms. Recently, attention has focused on the role of integrated and sequential approaches, suggesting that comprehensively treating sleep disturbances in PTSD is likely to require novel treatment modalities. SUMMARY: Evidence is growing on the development, course, and treatment of comorbid sleep disturbances in PTSD. Further, interventions targeting sleep disturbances in PTSD show promise in reducing symptoms. However, longitudinal investigations and additional rigorous controlled trials with diverse populations are needed to identify key features associated with treatment response in order to alleviate symptoms.
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Sleep disturbances, insomnia and recurrent nightmares in particular, are among the most frequently endorsed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present review provides a summary of the prevalence estimates and methodological challenges presented by sleep disturbances in PTSD, highlights the recent evidence for empirically supported psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions for comorbid sleep disturbances implicated in PTSD, and provides a summary of recent findings on integrated and sequential treatment approaches to ameliorate comorbid sleep disturbances in PTSD. RECENT FINDINGS: Insomnia, recurrent nightmares, and other sleep disorders are commonly endorsed among individuals with PTSD; however, several methodological challenges contribute to the varying prevalence estimates. Targeted sleep-focused therapeutic interventions can improve sleep symptoms and mitigate daytime PTSD symptoms. Recently, attention has focused on the role of integrated and sequential approaches, suggesting that comprehensively treating sleep disturbances in PTSD is likely to require novel treatment modalities. SUMMARY: Evidence is growing on the development, course, and treatment of comorbid sleep disturbances in PTSD. Further, interventions targeting sleep disturbances in PTSD show promise in reducing symptoms. However, longitudinal investigations and additional rigorous controlled trials with diverse populations are needed to identify key features associated with treatment response in order to alleviate symptoms.
Authors: Peter J Colvonen; Tonya Masino; Sean P A Drummond; Ursula S Myers; Abigail C Angkaw; Sonya B Norman Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2015-04-15 Impact factor: 4.062
Authors: Joseph Westermeyer; Imran Khawaja; Melesa Freerks; R John Sutherland; Kay Engle; David Johnson; Paul Thuras; Rebecca Rossom; Thomas Hurwitz Journal: Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry Date: 2010
Authors: Kristi E Pruiksma; Daniel J Taylor; Jim Mintz; Karin L Nicholson; Matthew Rodgers; Stacey Young-McCaughan; Brittany N Hall-Clark; Brooke A Fina; Katherine A Dondanville; Briana Cobos; Sophie Wardle-Pinkston; Brett T Litz; John D Roache; Alan L Peterson Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2019-11-26 Impact factor: 4.062