Trauma-Associated Sleep Disturbances: a Distinct Sleep Disorder?

Overview

Journal Curr Sleep Med Rep

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2019 Jan 19

PMID 30656131

Citations 9

Authors

Tara D Rachakonda

Nadir M Balba

Miranda M Lim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose Of Review: This paper describes a newly proposed sleep disorder, trauma-associated sleep disorder (TSD). Whether or not this represents a truly unique condition is controversial. In this paper, we describe the overlapping features and differences between TSD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD).

Recent Findings: While REM sleep without atonia (RWA) and dream enactment are part of the diagnostic criteria for both RBD and TSD, only TSD features nightmares that occur both in non-REM and REM. A key difference between TSD and PTSD is the presence of symptoms during wakefulness in the latter, though the relationship between the two disorders is, as of yet, unclear. It is unknown whether or not a relationship exists between TSD and neurodegeneration, thus this needs to be explored further.

Summary: Additional research, such as application of TSD diagnostic criteria to more diverse population, would help to determine whether or not TSD is a distinct clinical entity, its relationships to PTSD, as well as the association of this condition with the development of neurodegeneration.

Citing Articles

The association of polysomnographic sleep on posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters in trauma-exposed civilians and veterans.

Brownlow J, Miller K, Ross R, Barilla H, Kling M, Bhatnagar S Sleep Adv. 2022; 3(1):zpac024.

PMID: 36171859 PMC: 9510784. DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpac024.

Clinical and polysomnographic features of trauma associated sleep disorder.

Brock M, Matsangas P, Creamer J, Powell T, Hansen S, Foster S J Clin Sleep Med. 2022; 18(12):2775-2784.

PMID: 35962771 PMC: 9713908. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10214.

Pharmacological Management of Nightmares Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Geldenhuys C, van den Heuvel L, Steyn P, Seedat S CNS Drugs. 2022; 36(7):721-737.

PMID: 35688992 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00929-x.

Disturbed Sleep in PTSD: Thinking Beyond Nightmares.

Lancel M, van Marle H, van Veen M, van Schagen A Front Psychiatry. 2021; 12:767760.

PMID: 34899428 PMC: 8654347. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.767760.

Current Concepts and Controversies in the Management of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.

Matar E, McCarter S, St Louis E, Lewis S Neurotherapeutics. 2021; 18(1):107-123.

PMID: 33410105 PMC: 8116413. DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00983-7.

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