Full access
Clinical & Research News
Published Online: 19 March 2010

Psychotherapy Reduces PTSD-Related Nightmares

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 45, Number 6
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.45.6.psychnews_45_6_030
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
In people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychotherapies that lessen nightmares may fail to improve sleep, according to Leslie Swanson, Ph.D., a clinical lecturer in psychiatry at the University of Michigan School of Medicine.
She and colleagues combined effective nightmare therapies, such as imagery rehearsal and exposure, visualizing better dream outcomes, and relaxation techniques with cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in a pilot study treating 10 male combat veterans with PTSD.
Nine of the veterans had served in the Vietnam War and one in the Gulf War. Many had had the same nightmare several times a week for decades. They met in three- or four-person groups led by doctoral-level clinical psychologists for 10 90-minute sessions.
Group leaders encouraged adherence to a regular sleep schedule and other healthy sleep practices. They also addressed misperceptions about sleep, aiming to improve the men's efficacy in managing their chronic sleep problems.
Following treatment, the men reported a 50 percent reduction in weekly nightmare frequency and distress. Most fell asleep faster and slept more solidly, although they continued to have clinically significant sleep problems, the researchers reported in the November 2009 Journal of Traumatic Stress.
The researchers hope to work with veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan experiencing nightmares and insomnia. “We hope early treatment will help prevent a chronic disorder,” Swanson said.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 45 • Number 6 • March 19, 2010
Pages: 15

History

Published online: 19 March 2010
Published in print: March 19, 2010

Authors

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.