VOLUME 27/NO. 4 • ISSN: 1050-1835 • 2016 Research Quarterly advancing science and promoting understanding of traumatic stress Published by: Philip Gehrman, PhD National Center for PTSD University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry VA Medical Center (116D) 215 North Main Street Gerlinde Harb, PhD White River Junction Estadt Psychological Services and Vermont 05009-0001 USA PTSD and Sleep Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (802) 296-5132 Richard Ross, MD, PhD FAX (802) 296-5135 Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Email:
[email protected] University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry All issues of the PTSD Research Quarterly are available online at: www.ptsd.va.gov Introduction Study, 52% of combat Veterans with PTSD reported a significant nightmare problem (Neylan et al., 1998). Editorial Members: PTSD is unique among mental health disorders in In a general community sample, nightmares were Editorial Director that sleep problems represent two of the diagnostic endorsed by 71% of individuals with PTSD (Leskin, Matthew J. Friedman, MD, PhD criteria of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Woodward, Young, & Sheikh, 2002). Posttraumatic Bibliographic Editor Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual nightmares are independently associated with Misty Carrillo, MLIS of Mental Disorders (DSM-5); recurrent nightmares daytime distress and impaired functioning over and Managing Editor are part of the intrusion cluster of symptoms, and above the impact of overall PTSD severity (Levin & Heather Smith, BA Ed insomnia is a component of the arousal cluster. Nielsen, 2007; Littlewood, Gooding, Panagioti, & While these sleep problems are symptoms of PTSD, Kyle, 2016). National Center Divisions: the evidence suggests that they tend to become Executive independent problems over time, warranting sleep- Insomnia and recurrent nightmares are traditionally White River Jct VT focused assessment and treatment.