PTSD and Sleep (2024)

How Do Sleep Issues Affect PTSD Symptoms?

Among people who experience a traumatic event, those who suffer significant sleep problems appear to be more likely to develop PTSD in the future. In fact, one of the earliest signs of PTSD Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source is sleep disturbance, which often encompasses nightmares, insomnia, and fragmented rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Interestingly, sleep problems that precede the traumatic event may also play a role. One study found that people reporting nightmares before going to war Trusted Source Wiley Online LibraryWiley Online Library is one of the largest and most authoritative collections of electronic journals published by Wiley, as well as a vast and growing collection of reference works and other books.View Source were more likely to develop PTSD after coming back.

Once the disorder sets in, the presence of sleep problems appears to exacerbate PTSD symptoms Trusted Source Wiley Online LibraryWiley Online Library is one of the largest and most authoritative collections of electronic journals published by Wiley, as well as a vast and growing collection of reference works and other books.View Source . And even after treating daytime PTSD symptoms, many people find that insomnia still persists.

Sleep problems in PTSD interfere with the brain’s ability to process memories and emotions, slowing down the recovery process after a traumatic event. Moreover, many people with PTSD use alcohol or other substances to try to sleep better. Far from helping, these counterproductive coping mechanisms actually worsen sleep and can aggravate PTSD symptoms as well.

How PTSD Affects Sleep

Individuals with PTSD frequently have trouble falling asleep and awaken easily, often waking up many times throughout the night. Many people with PTSD also have nightmares. These issues result in disrupted, non-refreshing sleep.

Those with chronic pain, substance abuse Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source , traumatic brain injury Trusted Source ElsevierElsevier is a publishing company that aims to help researchers and health care professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society.View Source , depression Trusted Source Oxford Academic Journals (OUP)OUP publishes the highest quality journals and delivers this research to the widest possible audience.View Source , or other medical problems face an additional barrier to getting quality sleep. Certain sleep medications also interfere with REM sleep, which is the sleep stage during which we dream and an important sleep stage for dealing with traumatic memories.

The most common sleep problems in PTSD can be summed up in three categories:

• Insomnia: An estimated nine in ten people Trusted Source Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)/Department of Defence (DoD) Clinical Practice GuidelinesThe VA, in collaboration with the DoD and other leading professional organizations, has been developing clinical practice guidelines since the early 1990s. In 2010 the Institute of Medicine identified VA/DoD as leaders in clinical practice guideline development.View Source with PTSD suffer from insomnia. This is largely due to hyperarousal, in which the individual is unable to relax. It may also be a lingering effect of having been in a situation that required constant alertness at night. Insomnia in PTSD may also be self-perpetuating, as the stress of not being able to fall asleep eventually leads to maladaptive sleep behaviors Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source such as daytime napping or substance abuse.
• Nightmares and Night Terrors: Nightmares and night terrors plague a majority of people with PTSD, leading to nighttime awakenings and making it difficult to get back to sleep. The content of these vivid dreams is sometimes related to past trauma, with many PTSD sufferers reporting repetitive nightmares. Nightmares are sometimes treated with imagery rehearsal therapy, in which the patient “rewrites” the script of the dream with a less threatening version during waking hours.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): It’s not entirely clear why there is a higher prevalence of OSA among people with PTSD, but it may be due to underlying factors such as chronic arousal or alcohol use. Studies have found that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices work well for treating OSA in people with PTSD and may even reduce nightmares. While not as effective, people who find CPAP devices triggering or claustrophobic may prefer to use a mandibular advancement device Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source .

Treating PTSD-related sleep problems, as well as co-existing disorders such as depression, is an important part of resolving overall PTSD symptoms.

The Connection Between PTSD, Sleep, and the Brain

Researchers have found evidence that multiple overlapping brain regions Trusted Source ElsevierElsevier is a publishing company that aims to help researchers and health care professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society.View Source are implicated in both PTSD and sleep problems, most notably the hippocampus, the amygdala, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the insular cortex. These brain regions are likely responsible for causing the patient to revisit the traumatic event in flashbacks and nightmares, as well as for maintaining a state of hyperarousal.

Studies have found that individuals with PTSD have a faster heart rate Trusted Source Medline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.View Source while sleeping, indicating an enhanced fight-or-flight response Trusted Source Medline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.View Source that maintains the body in a permanent state of hypervigilance. Unsurprisingly, hallmarks of disturbed sleep in PTSD sufferers include more stage one light sleep, less restorative slow-wave sleep, and fragmented REM sleep.

Another significant connection between sleep and PTSD may lie in the way the brain processes fear-inducing memories. During a traumatic event, the brain learns to associate a certain stimulus with a negative response. Long after the traumatic event, this association may be so strong that the person suffers a violent reaction every time they are presented with a similar stimulus.

Normally, this response is attenuated during a process called extinction memory, during which the brain gradually learns to dissociate the stimulus from the learned response. A significant amount of emotional memory processing is done during REM sleep, and researchers believe the REM sleep disruptions Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source seen in PTSD sufferers may indicate an inability to efficiently process trauma.

Sleep loss may also cause daytime sleepiness and interfere with coping strategies, leaving people anxious and hypersensitive to triggers. The good news is that improving sleep seems to have corresponding effects on PTSD.

How to Sleep Better With PTSD

Elements of proper sleep hygiene can go a long way toward reducing PTSD sleep problems. These include:

• Keeping a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment
• Reserving the bedroom for sleep and sex only
• Staying on a regular bedtime schedule
• Eating a healthy diet and avoiding caffeine before bedtime
• Getting regular exercise Trusted Source ElsevierElsevier is a publishing company that aims to help researchers and health care professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society.View Source , which also helps tame hyperarousal
• Avoiding stressors before bedtime, including talking about your traumatic event
• Having a warm bath or reading a calming book before bedtime
• Turning off screens an hour before bedtime
• Using a white noise machine if you are sensitive to sounds
• Using meditation Trusted Source Wiley Online LibraryWiley Online Library is one of the largest and most authoritative collections of electronic journals published by Wiley, as well as a vast and growing collection of reference works and other books.View Source or other techniques to prevent rumination

You should sleep in a room that makes you feel safe, which may or may not be your bedroom. If you are uncomfortable sleeping in a dark room, a nightlight may provide a feeling of security.

People with PTSD are often afraid to go to sleep because they worry they will have nightmares. Unfortunately, this can lead to spending hours in bed with racing thoughts. If you have been in bed for 20 minutes and you can’t fall asleep, get out of bed, go to another room to do something relaxing, and only return to bed when you feel sleepy. This will help strengthen the mental association between your bed and sleep.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, or if you find yourself turning to substances such as drugs or alcohol to help you sleep, seek help from your doctor. They can help you find a therapist that provides cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), as well as PTSD-specific techniques such as imagery rehearsal therapy or exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy. They may also prescribe sleep medication, though this carries more risks and should be used with caution.

Learning to sleep soundly again after experiencing trauma may take some time, so don’t feel defeated if it doesn’t happen right away. Keep practicing healthy behaviors and working with your doctor, and you should eventually start to feel better. Because sleep and PTSD are so closely linked, ongoing therapy is extremely beneficial to those struggling with insomnia.

Sleep Tips for Partners of People With PTSD

While most efforts are focused on how to help someone with PTSD sleep, the partners of people with PTSD may also find it difficult to sleep soundly. For those with a partner who wakes up multiple times during the night, it may help to invest in a mattress that muffles sound and movement.

Nightmares and night terrors can be frightening and may cause your partner to lash out violently. Though you want to be there for your partner, you may find it necessary to sleep in a separate, nearby bedroom from time to time so you can get the restful sleep you need.

It may also be constructive to do exercise together with your partner during the day. In addition to improving sleep, developing healthy routines together can help you bond and help re-establish a sense of security for your partner.

Many caregivers struggle with feelings of guilt and a sense that they are responsible for “saving” their partner. However, pouring all your energy into helping another person can have a serious effect on your own mental health. Couples therapy, individual therapy, support groups, or a strong network of family and friends may help you manage your own thoughts and feelings to reduce the risk of burnout Trusted Source SAGE PublishingSAGE produces high quality educational resources that support instructors to prepare the citizens, policy makers, educators and researchers of the future.View Source .

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