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Review
. 2018 Jun 21;20(7):48.
doi: 10.1007/s11920-018-0916-9.

Recent Advancements in Treating Sleep Disorders in Co-Occurring PTSD

Peter J Colvonen  1   2   3 , Laura D Straus  4   5 , Carl Stepnowsky  6   7 , Michael J McCarthy  6   8 , Lizabeth A Goldstein  4   5 , Sonya B Norman  6   9   8   10
Affiliations
Review

Recent Advancements in Treating Sleep Disorders in Co-Occurring PTSD

Peter J Colvonen et al. Curr Psychiatry Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and insomnia, nightmares, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is high. We review recent research on psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions for sleep disorders in PTSD.

Recent findings: PTSD treatments decrease PTSD severity and nightmare frequency, but do not resolve OSA or insomnia. Research on whether insomnia hinders PTSD treatment shows mixed results; untreated OSA does interfere with PTSD treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is the recommended treatment for insomnia; however, optimal ordering with PTSD treatment is unclear. PTSD treatment may be most useful for PTSD-related nightmares. CPAP therapy is recommended for OSA but adherence can be low. Targeted treatment of sleep disorders in the context of PTSD offers a unique and underutilized opportunity to advance clinical care and research. Research is needed to create screening protocols, determine optimal order of treatment, and elucidate mechanisms between sleep and PTSD treatments.

Keywords: Insomnia; Obstructive sleep apnea; PTSD; Sleep disorders; Treatment.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart for assessment and treatment of sleep disorders in PTSD
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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