Symptoms of insomnia in young adults7/31/2023 ![]() Also, with sleep apnea, breathing pauses (or disruptions) happen during sleep, so a person may be unaware of those symptoms. There are many causes of fatigue or feeling tired during the day. People with sleep apnea may wake up not feeling rested and struggle with feeling tired or needing to sleep during the daytime.īeing aware of sleep apnea can be difficult. Sleep apnea is a breathing problem that disrupts normal sleep. Sleep apnea is common among people with PTSD, particularly in Veterans. What Other Sleep Problems Affect People with PTSD? Skills learned can be used for a lifetime.Dangerous interactions with alcohol and opioids.May not be recommended for people 65 and older or for people with substance use issues.Don't address the underlying problem (PTSD, worry, pain, or poor sleep habits).Taking time to track your sleep (sleep diary).Requires being open to making changes in sleep behaviors.Making time for weekly visits for therapy.Some are linked to dependence, withdrawal, accidental overdose, addiction, accidents, falls, confusion and memory problems.Some get less effective over time (tolerance).Time and practice to learn skills (sleep efficiency training).Chemicals bind to receptors in the brain and make people feel calm or sleepy.Talk therapy addresses thoughts and behaviors that affect sleep.Although benzodiazepines-or "benzos"-can make people feel calm, relaxed or sleepy, they can become a problem in the long run and are not recommended for the treatment of PTSD. Learn more about Benzodiazepines and PTSD. Nonbenzodiazepines (or "Z-drugs"): such as Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata.Benzodiazepines: such as Xanax, Klonopin, Valium or Ativan.These medications usually become less helpful over time and don't get to the core cause of sleep problems.Ĭertain prescription sleep medication can cause serious side effects with long-term use. Sleep medication is often recommended for short-term use only (2 to 4 weeks). Sleep medication side effects usually include daytime drowsiness, dizziness and confusion. ![]() If you choose to take medication, you should be familiar with the side effects and risks before you take it. There are many different types of medications used for sleep, from herbal supplements and over-the-counter sleep aids to prescription medications. Sleep medication is easy to take and usually provides quick, temporary relief. Research also shows that CBT-I reduces how many nightmares people have and the distress related to upsetting dreams.Ĭlose What are the pros and cons of using sleep medication? CBT-I improves sleep in 7 out of 10 people who complete it. This talk therapy is recommended over medication because it is more effective-CBT-I has been shown to work in multiple research studies-and has fewer side effects than medication. The best treatment for insomnia is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I. What Is the Best Treatment for Sleep Problems? Over time, drug and alcohol use can also have negative effects on sleep quality and on overall health and functioning. As a result, some will use substances such as alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs to fall asleep. Sleep problems may become their own disorders that cause distress. What Is the Relationship Between PTSD, Sleep Problems and Substance Use? Changes in light and sound can disrupt the deepest and most needed level of sleep. When this happens, a person may keep a television on all night. Some may be uneasy with silence after a trauma. It is difficult to have restful sleep when you feel the need to be always alert or are startled easily by noise. Feeling "on alert." People with PTSD may feel the need to be on guard, to protect themselves from danger.Talking during sleep can affect bed partners. After a trauma, people may talk more in their sleep. After a trauma, people may have more arm and leg movements during sleep. Even brief periods of sleep loss can affect daily life. Whether or not insomnia is diagnosed, people with PTSD often report less sleep due to problems falling asleep, being restless during the night and waking up earlier than wanted. Nightmares and flashbacks-feeling like the trauma is happening again-can create fear or feeling as if going to bed is unsafe. People with PTSD may avoid going to sleep. VA Software Documentation Library (VDL)īecause people with PTSD may try to push away trauma memories during the day, it may cause worries to get worse at night and disrupt sleep.Clinical Trainees (Academic Affiliations).War Related Illness & Injury Study Center.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |