Sleep disturbances, particularly nightmares and
insomnia, are a common feature of post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) in both the general population61
and in combat veterans62. Rates of insomnia in
trauma populations range from 60-90 per cent61-63.
Harvey & Bryant64 found that 72 per cent of civilians
experiencing a sleep disturbance within 1 month of
their trauma went on to develop PTSD. Furthermore,
insomnia is a prevalent residual symptom following
otherwise successful treatment of PTSD63.While not as
substantial as the evidence for insomnia as a risk factor
for depression, insomnia frequently co-occurs with
PTSD and it may be involved in its pathophysiology
and successful resolution.