Fort Hood is opening a new sleep center at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center to provide expanded medical services for both veterans and active duty military. The facility will open on Friday and will provide sleep studies for soldiers who are having difficulties sleeping. Sleeping disorders can often be caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Sleep disorders are often a side effect of PTSD according to Make the Connection, a veterans support site. “Sometimes sleep problems are a result of a traumatic experience or stressful event in your military or civilian life,” the site claims. “Other times, negative thoughts or worry might make it hard to fall asleep or cause you to wake up easily during the night.”
Often time’s people do not realize sleeping problems can directly impact their day-to-day ability to function and can cause slower reaction times, bad judgment, irritability, moodiness, lack of motivation, memory and decision making problems.
A patient of the current facility at the Darnall Army Medical Center said in a testimonial on the Center’s website, they found relief, not only from sleeping problems but other problems as well. The soldier said “They keep encouraging you and push you not to let whatever is bothering you or affecting you stop you or slow you down. They’re truly my motivation!! I’m very thankful for all they do!!!”
The doctors are “helping me with my sleep issues and I must say [they have] taught me so much more especially with medications, [about] the side effects, and also by informing me of how it effects my well-being,” the patient concluded.
The National Center for PTSD, a Department of Veterans Affairs service, says PTSD patients often fight with sleep disorders because they tend to be in an “on-alert” status in their minds. “Many people with PTSD may feel they need to be on guard or “on the lookout,” to protect himself or herself from danger. It is difficult to have restful sleep when you feel the need to be always alert.”
The Center also states that worry and negative thoughts are also related to PTSD stress disorder. Bad dreams and nightmares are also symptoms of PTSD related sleep disorders. The Center lists suggestions for veterans suffering from PTSD related sleep disordres to help them deal with getting more restful sleep.
Colonel Patricia Darnauer, commander, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and Ms. Sallie Houser-Hanfelder, director, Central Texas Veterans Health System will be among the officials at an informal Ribbon Cutting ceremony Friday, Nov 14 from 11:00 a.m. to noon at 3401 Kaydence Court.
Bob Price is a staff writer and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
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