Treating nightmares and insomnia in posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of current evidence.

ABSTRACT: Emerging evidence supports the notion of disrupted sleep as a core component of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Effective treatments for nighttime PTSD symptoms are critical because sleep disruption may be mechanistically linked to development and maintenance of PTSD and is associated with significant distress, functional impairment, and poor health. This review aimed to describe the state of science with respect to the impact of the latest behavioral and pharmacological interventions on posttraumatic nightmares and insomnia. Published studies that examined evidence for therapeutic effects upon sleep were included. Some behavioral and pharmacological interventions show promise, especially for nightmares, but there is a need for controlled trials that include valid sleep measures and

SUBMITTER: Nappi CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5154613 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature