Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Associated Sleep Disturbances

Authors

Aubretia D. Snyder, Brigham Young UniversityFollow

Keywords

Cognitive behavioral therapy, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, sleep disturbances, sleep disorders

Abstract

With an increasing number of veterans returning from combat with significant head injuries, research interests have begun to turn to the neuropsychological relationship between traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. Research has found that these dysfunctions often occur together and that both disorders may cause an exacerbation of symptoms in one another. This relationship may be negatively affected further by the presence of sleep disturbances. The complexity of this relationship requires extra consideration in regards to treatment, and cognitive behavioral therapy may be effective in treating this comorbid condition. This paper discusses the functional relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, symptoms and consequences of a comorbid situation, and the role of sleep disturbances in this comorbid relationship. This paper then discusses the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating these dysfunctions and considers further research options into the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating PTSD, TBI, and related sleep disorders.

Recommended Citation

Snyder, Aubretia D. (2019) "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Associated Sleep Disturbances," Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 12.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/intuition/vol14/iss1/12