Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Sleep

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of sleep in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and focus on the treatment of the most common sleep disorders encountered by patients with PTSD: insomnia and nightmares. The effects of the standard treatments for PTSD are discussed along with a review of available treatments for insomnia and nightmares. Particular emphasis is placed on nonpharmacologic treatments for these sleep disorders and how they may be adapted for delivery to patients with PTSD.

Keywords: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia; Insomnia; Posttraumatic stress disorder.