Comparison of Sleep Disturbances in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Patients

Abstract

SUMMARY -Th e aim of this study was to explore diff erences in the intensity of depressiveness, sleep disturbances and sleepiness between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients and patients with depression. A total of 170 patients were examined, including 120 PTSD patients and 50 patients with depression. All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Th e results showed diff erence in the subjective assessment of sleep quality between the war veterans with PTSD and civilians with depression, without signifi cant diff erences between them in the level of depressiveness and sleepiness. Considering the fact that insomnia can occur as an early, covert sign of both PTSD and depression and that diff erences in the intensity of sleep disturbances between the groups were established, the use of these and similar instruments for the assessment of sleep quality can be useful in distinguishing patients with PTSD and depression, treatment of their sleep disturbances, and prevention of more severe symptoms in both diagnostic categories.

Childbirth Related Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and Maternal Sleep Difficulties: Associations With Parenting Stress

“…Good sleep quality is a well-recognized predictor of both physical and mental health ( Ohayon et al, 2017 ). Conversely, sleep disorders are frequently linked to concomitant psychiatric illness, particularly anxiety and mood disorders ( Britvić et al, 2016 ). More precisely, sleep disturbances have been defined a hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a clinical syndrome typified by re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms, which persist for more than 1 month after exposure to a traumatic event ( Britvić et al, 2016 ).…”

“…are frequently observed in PTSD patients ( Krakow et al, 2001 ; Germain et al, 2005 ). Moreover, in order to better investigate the specific features of sleep disorders associated with PTSD, ( Britvić et al, 2016 ) explored the nature and intensity of sleep disorders in patients with PTSD, compared to in depressed patients. Their findings suggested that PTSD patients went to sleep later, needed two times more time to fall asleep, had more nightmares, got up earlier, and had shorter total durations of sleep than depressive patients.…”