The effects of PTSD on sleep may be profound and range frominsomniatonightmares.
How does PTSD affect sleep?
Learn about this condition and some of the treatment options.
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What Is PTSD?
The episodes may be repeated events, such as exposure to harm in military combat or domestic violence.
Sometimes the feelings persist, however.
When they last longer than 3 months, they are considered chronic PTSD.
It commonly affects those exposed to combat situations.
It may coexist with depression.
Some surveys suggest that 70% of people with PTSD have sleep complaints, most often insomnia and nightmares.
This anxiety may lead to persistent insomnia.
It may also be associated with isolated sleep paralysis.
PTSD can also cause flashbacks and nightmares.These episodes consist of re-experiencing the traumatic event.
They can be quite vivid and often are recalled upon awakening.
They may lead to movements or even actions during sleep and the transition to wakefulness.
This may result in violent or even injury-provoking behaviors.
There may be sleeptalking.In addition, hallucinations during the transition to or from sleep may occur.
Treatment
There are effective treatments available for the symptoms of PTSD, including its effects on sleep.
These may include medications as well as therapy.
As part of this, it is very important to treat any other psychiatric conditions.
These may include depression, anxiety, panic disorder, alcohol or substance abuse.
An especially useful for treatment for the nightmares associated with PTSD isprazosin.
In addition, medications such as olanzapine, risperidone, and quetiapine may be employed.
It is clearly not a condition that you have to suffer with alone.
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