What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
According to Dr Sayantani Mukherjee, Consultant Psychiatrist, Manipal Hospital, Pune (India), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that arises after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as an accident, war, violence, natural disaster or any other psychologically traumatic situation. People with PTSD often experience severe and persistent symptoms that affect their daily lives.
The Impact of PTSD on Sleep
The following factors explain how PTSD affects sleep, says Dr. Sayantani Mukherjee:
Insomnia: One of the common symptoms of PTSD is insomnia, which is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. People with PTSD often experience anxiety, worry, or constant thoughts about past traumatic events, making it difficult to fall asleep or waking up during the night.
Nightmares and recurring dreams: People with PTSD often experience nightmares related to the traumatic event. These recurring dreams can cause them to wake up in panic and fear, disrupting sleep and causing fatigue the next day.
Poor, non-restorative sleep: Although the person may be able to sleep, the quality of sleep is poor. This can lead to feelings of fatigue and lack of energy throughout the day.
Nervous system stimulation: PTSD causes nervous system stimulation, especially in stressful situations, increasing cortisol (stress hormone), making the patient always alert and having difficulty relaxing when sleeping.
Waking up multiple times during the night: People with PTSD may wake up multiple times during the night due to anxiety or panic attacks. This constant sleep deprivation reduces the body's ability to recover and causes chronic fatigue.
REM sleep disturbance: REM sleep is an important stage of sleep when the body regenerates and the brain processes emotions. PTSD can disrupt REM sleep, leading to an inability to reach this stage or a disturbance in it, reducing the ability to process emotions and increasing anxiety.
Long term effects
Dr. Sayantani Mukherjee also shared that lack of sleep due to PTSD can create a vicious cycle, as poor sleep increases PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, stress, and depression. When sleep quality is affected over time, it not only causes fatigue but can also worsen PTSD symptoms, affecting overall health and quality of life.
How to Manage Sleep Problems Related to PTSD
To manage sleep problems associated with PTSD, Dr. Mukherjee emphasizes that addressing the root cause of PTSD is most important. PTSD can be acute (due to mild events) or chronic (following extreme events such as violence or combat). Once the cause is identified, appropriate treatments such as psychotherapy and relaxation techniques can help improve sleep. Consultation with a mental health professional is necessary for effective treatment.
