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Treatment of Sleep Comorbidities in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

  • PTSD (SK Creech and LM Sippel, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of the review

Sleep disturbances, insomnia and recurrent nightmares in particular, are among the most frequently endorsed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present review provides a summary of the prevalence estimates and methodological challenges presented by sleep disturbances in PTSD, highlights the recent evidence for empirically supported psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions for comorbid sleep disturbances implicated in PTSD, and provides a summary of recent findings on integrated and sequential treatment approaches to ameliorate comorbid sleep disturbances in PTSD.

Recent findings

Insomnia, recurrent nightmares, and other sleep disorders are commonly endorsed among individuals with PTSD; however, several methodological challenges contribute to the varying prevalence estimates. Targeted sleep-focused therapeutic interventions can improve sleep symptoms and mitigate daytime PTSD symptoms. Recently, attention has focused on the role of integrated and sequential approaches, suggesting that comprehensively treating sleep disturbances in PTSD is likely to require novel treatment modalities.

Summary

Evidence is growing on the development, course, and treatment of comorbid sleep disturbances in PTSD. Further, interventions targeting sleep disturbances in PTSD show promise in reducing symptoms. However, longitudinal investigations and additional rigorous controlled trials with diverse populations are needed to identify key features associated with treatment response in order to alleviate symptoms.

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Funding

J.A.B.’s time was supported by a Center Grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Grant Number 5P20GM103653-08. K.E.M.’s time was supported by Career Development Award Number IK2 CX001874 from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Sciences R&D (CSRD) Service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, Delaware State University, 1200 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE, 19901, USA

    Janeese A. Brownlow PhD

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Janeese A. Brownlow PhD & Philip R. Gehrman PhD, CBSM

  3. Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Katherine E. Miller PhD & Philip R. Gehrman PhD, CBSM

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  1. Janeese A. Brownlow PhD
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Correspondence to Janeese A. Brownlow PhD.

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Janeese A. Brownlow declares that she has no conflict of interest. Katherine E. Miller declares that she has no conflict of interest. Philip R. Gehrman declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Brownlow, J.A., Miller, K.E. & Gehrman, P.R. Treatment of Sleep Comorbidities in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Treat Options Psych 7, 301–316 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-020-00222-y

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