Description

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna explore the prevalence of sleep issues in the Veteran and Family population and discuss how posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs) can impact sleep. They are joined by special guest Dr. Craig Stewart, a psychiatrist and certified sleep specialist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic, who helps unpack the complex relationship between trauma, sleep and our overall well-being. 

They explore the common challenges Veteran Families face when sleep is disrupted by PTSIs, discuss practical advice for managing sleep issues and highlight new research around sleep health and trauma. 

Dr. Craig P. Stewart, MB BAO BCh, MA, FRCPC is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Interim Medical Director at the St. Joseph’s Health Care London OSI Clinic. He completed a clinical fellowship in sleep medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University, where he serves as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. He holds a master’s degree in behavioural neuroscience from Brock University with a focus on neurophysiological correlates of sleep, with additional research experience in circadian rhythms. He also practises at a community sleep clinic in the greater Toronto area. 

Key topics 

• The impacts of trauma and sleep deprivation on memory and mental health 
• The common differences and similarities in sleep issues between Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans and public safety personnel 
• The long-term physical and mental health consequences of chronic insomnia 
• Nightmares, dream enactment and practical Family strategies to manage sleep disruptions and behaviours 
• How electronic device use and "doom scrolling" affect sleep routines and conditioned arousal 
• Realistic expectations and recovery models for improving sleep after trauma

Resources

• ‘To sleep, perchance to dream’: An overview of common sleep issues, treatments and myths with Dr. Craig Stewart (video) 
• Participate in a study aiming to better understand the prevalence of sleep conditions and challenges among Canadian Veterans and their Families 
• Learn about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some treatment options 
• Resources on living with PTSIs for public safety personnel and their Families 
• Resources for Families and friends —includes information on signs and symptoms of PTSIs, potential impacts on Families and coping strategies 
• Anxiety Canada: Getting a good night’s sleep 
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Path to better sleep 
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Sleep problems and PTSD 

Lire en français ici : atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep32-fr