Afraid and Awake: The Interaction Between Trauma and Sleep in Children and Adolescents

Veronica Fellman; Patrick J Heppell; Suchet Rao

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2023.06.015

Afraid and Awake: The Interaction Between Trauma and Sleep in Children and Adolescents

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2024 Mar;47(1):229-253. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.06.015.

Authors

Veronica Fellman¹, Patrick J Heppell², Suchet Rao³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Child Study Center, One Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10016, USA. Electronic address: Veronica.fellman@nyulangone.org.
² Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Child Study Center, One Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10016, USA.
³ Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, NYC Administration for Children's Services, 150 William Street, 11th Floor, New York City, NY 10038, USA.

PMID: 38302209
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.06.015

Abstract

Traumatic experiences and sleep disturbances are both common in children and adolescents. Because of the reciprocal relationship between sleep complaints and trauma, a mental health evaluation should include not only an assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder and other trauma symptoms but also a specific evaluation of sleep-related complaints. Similarly, if a history of both trauma and sleep complaints is identified, an effective trauma-informed intervention, whether psychological, psychopharmacologic, or a combination of the two, should directly address sleep issues.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; PTSD; Sleep disorders; Sleep treatment; Trauma; Trauma treatment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Fear
Humans
Sleep
Sleep Wake Disorders* / complications
Sleep Wake Disorders* / diagnosis
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / psychology
Wakefulness