News

Treating insomnia in veterans reduces suicidal thoughts

Feb 18 2015...

A new study of veterans suggests that treating insomnia may save lives.

The study involved 405 veterans with insomnia disorder. They received up to six sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. CBT-I helps you change attitudes and habits that keep you from sleeping well. It also helps you learn new strategies to sleep better. READ MORE>>

Poor sleep tied to lower physical activity in people with PTSD

Jul 21 2014...

A new study suggests that poor sleep quality predicts lower physical activity in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“We found that sleep quality was more strongly associated with physical activity one year later than was having a diagnosis of PTSD,” said lead author Lisa Talbot, postdoctoral fellow at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco. “The longitudinal aspect of this study suggests that sleep may influence physical activity.” READ MORE>>

Suicidal thoughts common in depressed people with sleep issues

Feb 07 2013...

A new study found an association between insomnia symptoms and suicidal thoughts in depressed patients.

“Insomnia and nightmares, which are often confused and may go hand-in-hand, are known risk factors for suicide, but just how they contribute was unknown,” said Dr. W. Vaughn McCall, lead author and chair of the Medical College of Georgia Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Georgia Regents University. READ MORE>>

Active duty military personnel prone to sleep disorders

Feb 06 2013...

A new study found a high prevalence of sleep disorders and a startlingly high rate of short sleep duration among active duty military personnel. The study suggests the need for a cultural change toward appropriate sleep practices throughout the military.

Results show that the majority of participants (85.1 percent) had a clinically relevant sleep disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was the most frequent diagnosis (51.2 percent), followed by insomnia (24.7 percent). Participants’ mean self-reported home sleep duration was only 5.74 hours per night, and 41.8 percent reported sleeping five hours or less per night. According to the AASM, individual sleep needs vary; however, most adults need about seven to eight hours of nightly sleep to feel alert and well-rested during the day. READ MORE>>

Suicide in the U.S. military soars to a record high

Jan 17 2013...

The Associated Press reported this week that suicides in the U.S. military soared to a record high in 2012. Post-traumatic stress disorder may be one factor behind the startling statistics. READ MORE>>

Vets with PTSD and sleep apnea less likely to use CPAP

Dec 10 2012...

Post–traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in returning combat veterans with comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with significantly worse continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence compared to a similar population of patients without PTSD, according to a new study.

“Current combat veterans are a particularly vulnerable population due to psychiatric diseases such as PTSD, depression and anxiety, substance use, traumatic brain injuries and multiple injuries often associated with disability and chronic pain, said lead author Jacob Collen, MD, Maj., MC, U.S. Army, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine fellow at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. “Sleep disordered breathing is highly prevalent and has been demonstrated to worsen outcomes in patients with psychiatric disease, and prior, smaller studies have demonstrated that CPAP therapy may improve outcomes in patients with PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea.” READ MORE>>

Energy drinks cause sleep problems in military

Nov 14 2012...

A government study examines the link between energy drink consumption and sleep problems among U.S. soldiers. Soldiers who consumed three or more energy drinks per day were more likely to report sleep problems.

The study involved a group of over 1,200 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and found that 45 percent of them consumed one or more energy drinks per day READ MORE>>

Civilian life is interrupted by PTSD and sleep disorders for many soldiers returning from Iraq

Sep 03 2009...

A new study finds high rates of disturbed sleep among current and former military personnel who served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom or Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. READ MORE>>

No Purple Hearts for PTSD

Jan 09 2009...

Does a U.S. soldier who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) deserve a Purple Heart? The question has sparked a heated debate in the military community. READ MORE>>