Nightmares and Flashbacks.
PTSD typically disrupts optimal sleep by increasing the duration of light sleep, decreasing the duration of deep sleep, and interfering with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep often resulting in insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep), daytime fatigue, and increased nightmares.
PTSD impacts sleep because sleep is tied to memory and memory processing via dreams; therefore, sleep is tied to trauma processing via nightmares.
Like nightmares, flashbacks are another form of re-experiencing which mimic the precipitating trauma(s), neurologically and biologically. Flashbacks intrusively hijack sensory and perceptual regions of the brain, forcing the body into a stress response and overwhelming the individual's perceptual sense of reality and lived experiences. Like nightmares, flashbacks flood the brain with unprocessed memories by dulling the sensory system in favor of ingrained images, sensations, and emotions as they relate to the experienced trauma(s).
PTSD impacts sleep because sleep is tied to memory and memory processing via dreams; therefore, sleep is tied to trauma processing via nightmares.
Like nightmares, flashbacks are another form of re-experiencing which mimic the precipitating trauma(s), neurologically and biologically. Flashbacks intrusively hijack sensory and perceptual regions of the brain, forcing the body into a stress response and overwhelming the individual's perceptual sense of reality and lived experiences. Like nightmares, flashbacks flood the brain with unprocessed memories by dulling the sensory system in favor of ingrained images, sensations, and emotions as they relate to the experienced trauma(s).
6/21/2020
Nightmare Disorder
Nightmare Disorder
