The Influence of Sleep Disorders and Nightmares on Mental Health: A Study of Former Kurdish Peshmerga in Resettlement Countries
Journal Title: International Journal of Health Sciences and Research - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 4
Abstract
Background: Sleep disorders and nightmares are often rooted in post-traumatic stress and have a significant impact on the quality of mental health. There is an obvious relationship between war trauma and a higher frequency of nightmares and insomnia symptoms. Aim: To study sleep disorders among former Kurdish Peshmerga (soldiers) and its impact on their mental health. Material and Methods: Five focus group interviews were conducted with 24 former Peshmerga in Scandinavian countries, between December 2014 and April 2015. The majority were males (n=19) aged between 32-62 years (M= 51.6 years) but some were females (n=5) aged 41-58 years (M=49.3 years). They had lived in Sweden between 16 and 40 years. A qualitative content analysis method was used for analysis and interpretation of the collected data. Results: Former Kurdish Peshmerga reported a number of difficulties related to sleep disorders. The impact of insomnia and nightmares on the participants’ mental health was indicated. Difficulty falling asleep and nightmares were two main areas that were mentioned as problematic by the participants. The impact of the sleep disorders in daily life and its impact on psychological health were addressed by the participants in the present study. Conclusion: Decreased mental health among former Kurdish Peshmerga was related to sleep disorders rooted in post-traumatic stress disorder. Difficulty falling asleep and nightmares negatively affected the participants’ daily lives and their mental health.
Authors and Affiliations
Fatahi N
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP369633
- DOI -
- Views 53
- Downloads 0
Burden, Perceived Stigma and Coping Style of Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Background- Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder (BD) are two major psychotic disorders which cause considerable burden and limitations among the caregivers of the affected patients. Stigma can be a major obstacle to recov...
Endometriosis in Women Is a Common Headache of This New Era: Review Article
Endometriosis is a common, benign estrogen dependent gynaecological ailment in women of reproductive age with the presence of endometrial glandular epithelial and stromal cells, growing in the extra-uterine environment....
Misconceptions and Stigma about HIV/AIDS: Perception among Attendees of Rural Tertiary Care Centre of Haryana
Globally an estimated 36.7 million people (0.8%) were living with HIV/AIDS by the end of year 2016 and India account for 2.1 million being third largest HIV epidemic country in the world. The vulnerabilities that drive t...
Cholestatic Jaundice Induced by Sequential Carbimazole and Propylthiouracil Treatment for Thyrotoxicosis-A Case Report
Grave’s disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Antithyroid drugs are usually well tolerated in majority of patients but dangerous adverse effects can occur in 3-12% of treated patients. Cholestatic jaundice...
The Influence of Sleep Disorders and Nightmares on Mental Health: A Study of Former Kurdish Peshmerga in Resettlement Countries
Background: Sleep disorders and nightmares are often rooted in post-traumatic stress and have a significant impact on the quality of mental health. There is an obvious relationship between war trauma and a higher frequen...