Why Trauma Survivors Often Struggle With Sleep and Insomnia

Trauma survivor speaking with a therapist in a calm office, representing trauma-related insomnia, hypervigilance, and sleep recovery

Why Trauma Survivors Often Struggle With Sleep and Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Trauma survivors often struggle with sleep because the nervous system may stay alert long after the danger has passed. Bedtime can feel unsafe when the brain connects stillness, darkness, or loss of control with threat. This is not weakness. It […]

Can CBT-I Help You Sleep Without Medication?

Peaceful bedroom with warm morning light and mountain views, representing natural sleep improvement through CBT-I without medication

Can CBT-I Help You Sleep Without Medication? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I, can help many people sleep with less reliance on medication. CBT-I teaches the brain and body how to return to natural sleep by changing the thoughts, behaviors, habits, and nervous-system patterns that keep insomnia […]

What Causes Chronic Insomnia?

A tired adult sitting calmly in a softly lit bedroom at night, reflecting on chronic insomnia and sleep anxiety

What Causes Chronic Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Chronic insomnia is usually caused by more than one issue. Anxiety, trauma, PTSD, chronic pain, depression, grief, stress, medication dependence, alcohol use, medical symptoms, and learned patterns of nighttime alertness can all keep the brain and body awake. In many cases, insomnia is the symptom, […]

What Are the Side Effects of Sleeping Pills?

Side effects of sleeping pills shown with common prescription sleep medications

A decade ago, in 2010, the Drug Enforcement Agency spearheaded a nationwide initiative to take back unused prescription medications. This move aimed to heighten public awareness about the potentially lethal implications of prescription drug misuse. Despite these efforts, the prevalence of misuse and its consequences remain concerning.