PTSD IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM AND WE OWE IT TO OUR VETS
TO FIND REAL SOLUTIONS FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING IT
- Sleep disturbances (e.g. insomnia, daytime sleepiness, vivid nightmares) are hallmark features of PTSD (source: International Review of Psychiatry)
- Nearly 70 percent of veterans who self-report PTSD symptoms have been found to also be at high risk for sleep apnea in a recent study conducted by the San Diego VA.
- From The Atlantic: "Soldiers returning home from duty often experience vivid dreams, night sweats, and other symptoms commonly classified as PTSD, but some argue that a newly named condition—trauma-associated sleep disorder—may be more accurate."
- A RAND Corporation study has shown that helping service members to improve their sleep health post-deployment could help reduce depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other health problems.
- New efforts are being made all the time to help clinicians diagnose and treat PTSD and its related sleep problems, including this app from John Hopkins and this recent invention (still in Kickstarter phase) from the son of a veteran.
- The United States Department of Veteran Affairs offers a great resource, MyHealtheVet, where veterans can learn more about their PTSD-related sleep problems and seek solutions; the site includes links in both English and Spanish.
