Treatment of nightmares in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder
Philip Gehrman, Gerlinde C. Harb
Journal of Clinical Psychology September 23, 2010 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20730 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A client with chronic, severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) |
| Interventions | Prazosin Imagery rehearsal (IR) Scheduled awakenings |
| Topics | Dreaming PTSD |
| Citations | 26 |
| Key findings | The paper illustrates the use of prazosin pharmacotherapy and imagery rehearsal psychotherapy for managing PTSD-related nightmares in a client with chronic, severe PTSD, and describes scheduled awakenings as a novel approach following relapse. |
Abstract
Nightmares are a common feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are frequently resistant to treatment. Two emerging treatments for nightmares are pharmacotherapy with prazosin and psychotherapy using imagery rehearsal (IR). A case illustration demonstrates the application of these treatments with a client suffering from chronic, severe PTSD. The case illustrates the use of these strategies for managing PTSD-related nightmares, as well as the novel approach of scheduled awakenings following relapse.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- The efficacy of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares: A preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study. Psychoneuroendocrinology January 2015
- Management of post-traumatic nightmares: a review of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments since 2010. Current Psychiatry Reports October 1, 2012
- Treatment of sleep disturbances in posttraumatic stress disorder: a review. Journal of rehabilitation research and development 2012
- A new theoretical approach to the functional meaning of sleep and dreaming in humans based on the maintenance of 'predictive psychic homeostasis'. Communicative & Integrative Biology November 1, 2011
Cites 5
- A systematic review of cognitive-behavioral treatment for nightmares: toward a well-established treatment. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine October 1, 2008
- NON-NIGHTMARE DISTRESSED AWAKENINGS IN VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: RESPONSE TO PRAZOSIN Journal of Traumatic Stress August 1, 2008
- Dreaming in posttraumatic stress disorder: A critical review of phenomenology, psychophysiology and treatment. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2007
- Impact of imagery rehearsal treatment on distressing dreams, psychological distress, and sleep parameters in nightmare patients. Behavioral Sleep Medicine 2003
- Imagery rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA August 1, 2001