Insomnia

In this episode of PTSD Bytes, clinical psychologist Dr. Elissa McCarthy discusses Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia.

Meeting the diverse needs of Veterans with resources to effectively reduce suicide risk but also promote wellness and protect against future risk.

In a double-blind trial, Krystal and his team will compare the drugs trazodone, eszopiclone, and gabapentin to placebo. All three contain sleep-inducing ingredients but work in different ways.

PTSD and sleep are so closely linked that treating sleep issues can make PTSD treatment more effective. Sleep-specific treatment is important.

VA pharmacists in Florida detected a potentially serious patient safety issue involving a proper measuring device. “Robust safety measures.”

Sleep disorders can lead to increased thoughts of suicide. VA researchers are conducting a study to better understand the relationship between sleep disorders and suicidal ideation.

VA has heart healthy online resources to help you manage anger, reduce anxiety, and sleep better. Healthy eating and exercise are key to good heart health. Reducing anxiety and stress is good too.

Post-9/11 Veterans have “alarmingly high rates” of insomnia disorder, according to a VA San Diego Healthcare System study. More than half of the Veterans studied had the disorder. Insomnia rates were even higher in Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and chronic pain.

Insomnia can develop due to stress. Loss of sleep itself can become a new stressor. Here are some sleep strategies that can help keep sleep on track and prevent insomnia disorder.

Dr. Elaine Boland, a research psychologist at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, understands that it’s critical for people with insomnia to receive treatments tailored to their needs.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a process of tensing one part of your body at a time and then releasing it, paying attention to the experience of how it feels to “let go.” Doing this practice helps you learn where you carry tension and how to release it, and it’s used to manage stress and anxiety, reduce chronic pain including headaches, decrease blood pressure, and help with digestion.

VA celebrates National Therapeutic Recreation Month and all it does to change Veterans’ lives. Here’s a great story of a Veteran who was in “a dark place” and says recreation therapy gave him a focus.