Ideally, both PTSD and insomnia are treated at the same time but they can also be treated one at a time. However, PTSD and insomnia can be two separate disorders that you may have at the same time, and they each may need their own treatment. Some common sleep issues include nightmares, dreading going to sleep or avoiding sleeping in designated sleeping areas. Two of the 20 symptoms of PTSD are related to sleep difficulties.

This can mean feeling unproductive because you’re tired at work or unfocused due to poor sleep. McCarthy recommends talking to your provider if you have concerns about your sleep, especially if you feel that sleep disruptions are having an impact on your life. Medication does not have the same effectiveness as CBT-I because it does not address the underlying causes of sleep issues. While there is not enough information to know exactly who responds best to CBT-I, McCarthy says that most people respond well to the treatment. CBT-I also attempts to address the underlying issues that may prevent sleep and any unhealthy sleep practices. The treatment works by educating patients about sleep, which gives them the reasoning behind recommended changes. It is a short treatment, typically lasting around six weekly sessions. What is CBT-I?Ĭognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I, is the gold standard for insomnia treatments. In this episode of PTSD Bytes, host Pearl McGee-Vincent discusses Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia with Elissa McCarthy, a clinical psychologist at the National Center for PTSD at the White River Junction VA in Vermont. Listen to “#13: PTSD and Insomnia” on Spreaker.

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