Talking Point: The role of sleep in the development, maintenance, and treatment of PTSD, presented by Prof Sean Drummond on 31st July 2024
Overview
In recent years, it has become clear the influence of sleep on PTSD is strong and multi-faceted. For example, having insomnia at baseline increases the risk of developing PTSD after trauma exposure 2.5-3-fold and the emergence of sleep problems immediately post-trauma also increases the risk of developing PTSD. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests sleep problems diminish the benefit from evidence-based PTSD interventions.
This talk will cover some of the experimental evidence examining the potential mechanisms underlying sleep's influence on PTSD. I will also present data from a clinical trial examining whether specifically treating sleep in PTSD can improve overall clinical outcomes.
Objectives:
- Understand the influence of sleep on the maintenance, development, and treatment of PTSD
- Provide insight into some of the mechanisms linking sleep to PTSD
- Understand the potential benefits of treating sleep in the context of PTSD
Watch the presentation
About the presenter
Prof Drummond is a Professor of Clinical Neuroscience and Director of Research Programs and Infrastructure in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University. He is also a Past President of the Sleep Research Society. There are 3 related arms to Prof Drummond’s program of research:
- Cognitive neuroscience of sleep and sleep deprivation;
- Behavioural interventions for insomnia; and
- Translational studies examining the mechanistic role of sleep in psychopathology, especially PTSD.