Sleeping within 24 hours of a traumatic event may reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where patients replay distressing incidents, causing anxiety and panic attacks.
Scientists at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, played two films — one neutral and one distressing — to 65 women, half of whom were told they could sleep afterwards.
They were then asked to record how many traumatic flashbacks they had in the days following the experiment — and those who had slept had significantly fewer negative thoughts.
The findings suggest that sleep helps us process memories and move on, said the researchers, which might mean it would work as an early treatment for those at risk of PTSD.