Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop following exposure to a traumatic stressor such as warfare, sexual or physical violence, or other life threatening situations. It is defined by a number of symptoms including depression, anxiety, ‘phantom pain’, hyperarousal in response to mild threats, repression of memories, nightmares and flashbacks. There are very few methods of treating PTSD, most of which can only lessen the anxiety and depression involved with the disorder. Dreaming during sleep may be defined as a succession of images, emotions, ideas or sensations that occur involuntarily during various stages during the sleep cycle. Dreams have been hypothesised to be a simulation and rehearsal of threatening events.1 There is a high incidence rate of sleep disturbances among …show more content…
Higher levels of urinary NA and adrenaline in PTSD than in other patients. Another study further showed that higher levels of the NA metabolite, 3-hydroxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, were found in the urine of PTSD sufferers than in control groups. There is also evidence of downregulation of adrenergic receptors i.e. cells become less sensitive to the effects of the hormone. Thus the experimental evidence suggests that the dysfunctionality of the noradrenergic system may have a key effect in the increased incidence of sleep disturbance in PTSD.10 Serotonergic system Serotonin is another neurotransmitter highly involved in sleep maintenance. Low levels of serotonin are associated with sleep while high levels are associated with wakefulness. Like NE, serotonin is also involved in the production of melatonin. Serotonin receptors are most active at wakefulness but reduce in activity during sleep. Once again the serotonergic system displays dysfunctionality in PTSD sufferers which may contribute to the sleep disturbances.11 Possible treatments of sleep