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Management of Post-Traumatic Nightmares: A Review of Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments Since 2010

  • Sleep Disorders (MJ Sateia, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Nightmares are a universal and timeless phenomenon. They occur in most healthy adults as well as a significant portion of clinical populations, especially those exposed to trauma. Considerable advances in the pharmacological and psychological treatment of post-traumatic nightmares have occurred over the last decade with continuing advances in psychological interventions over the last few years. Pharmacologically, the medication prazosin is showing robust clinical effects with minimal side effects. Psychologically, imagery rehearsal therapy commands the greater portion of the nightmare literature due to its established efficacy. These issues are reviewed in the following paper along with recommendations for future studies.

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Disclosure

M. Escamilla: none; M. LaVoy: none; B. A. Moore: has been a consultant to Neuroscience Education Institute, has received payment for lectures including service on speakers bureaus from CMI/PESI, and has received royalties from Wiley, Guilford, APA, Routledge & Pearson; B. Krakow: has been a consultant to AMEDD Center & School; has received grants from Simon Foundation and Oxynard Foundation; has received royalties from Wiley, Maimonides Sleep Arts and Sciences, and The New Sleepy Times; and owns and operates 4 websites that provide education and offer products for sleep disorders patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trauma, Risk, and Resiliency Postdoctoral Fellowship Warrior Resiliency Program, San Antonio Military Medical Center, U.S. Army Southern Regional Medical Command, 7800 IH-10 West Suite 300, San Antonio, TX, 78230, USA

    Monica Escamilla, Mercedes LaVoy & Bret A. Moore

  2. Behavioral Readiness Division, Trauma, Risk, and Resiliency Fellowship Warrior Resiliency Program, 7800 IH-10 West Suite 300, San Antonio, TX, 78230, USA

    Bret A. Moore

  3. Maimonides Sleep Arts & Sciences, Ltd, Sleep and Human Health Institute, 6739 Academy NE, Ste. 380, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, USA

    Barry Krakow

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  1. Monica Escamilla
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  2. Mercedes LaVoy
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  3. Bret A. Moore
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  4. Barry Krakow
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Correspondence to Bret A. Moore.

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Escamilla, M., LaVoy, M., Moore, B.A. et al. Management of Post-Traumatic Nightmares: A Review of Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments Since 2010. Curr Psychiatry Rep 14, 529–535 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0306-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-012-0306-7

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