This case illustrates the range of professional and self-help resources available online on abuse and sleep problems.
Case
Mr. G is a 42 year old health administrator who is experiencing post traumatic stress symptoms due to childhood sexual abuse. His presenting concern is frequent and intense nightmares. He is also having insomnia related to his fear of the nightmares, and has been drinking to fall asleep. He brings you the URLs of web sites he has been visiting and interacting on, including a dream interpretation site and a site on trauma. He wants you to check to make sure these sites are maintained by credible sources. He has requested EMDR therapy, which he read about in a newspaper article.
Treatment Issues
Sleep Hygiene and Nightmares
Some educational materials on sleep hygiene and nightmares would be useful for Mr. G.
Internet Resources
Below are some online informational brochures that Mr. G could be given.
 What to Do When You Can't Sleep by the American Academy of Family Physicians
Common Questions about Nightmares by the Association for the Study of Dreams
Dream Interpretation and Trauma Sites
You also agree to check on the dream interpretation and trauma sites that Mr. G is visiting to make sure they are maintained by credible sources such as university-affiliated and professional organizations.
Internet Resources
Mr. G has been reading online materials by John Suler, Ph.D., a Professor of Psychology at Rider University, describing techniques for working with dreams. This is a non-commercial informational site which addresses dreamwork in a clinically research informed manner.
Working (and playing) with Dreams by John Suler, Ph.D.
 Mr. G has been exchanging email on DreamMoods.com which has materials to help people understand their dreams.
The trauma site Mr. G found David Baldwin's Trauma Information Pages is maintained by Dr. Baldwin, a licensed psychologist, and has won many awards.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is a leading anti-sexual assault organization which has information on what to do if sexually assaulted.
PTSD and EMDR
You want to find out more about the clinical use of EMDR for PTSD.
Internet Resources
This article by Shawn P. Cahill, Ph.D. was published in the Psychiatric Times July 2000 Vol. XVII Issue 7. Evaluating EMDR in Treating PTSD
This is an online seminar on EMDR moderated by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., the developer of EMDR. Behavior Online: EMDR Forum
Clinical Education
Internet Resources
This is a site with clinical information on PTSD:
Medicine.Net PTSD
Many online papers for therapists are contained on the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD
While these resources are oriented toward helping health professionals working in the VA to understand, diagnose, and treat combat-related PTSD, many of their resources are applicable to non-combat related PTSD.
For example, this article addresses the common co-occurrence of PTSD and alcohol abuse which applies to Mr. G: PTSD and Problems with Alcohol Use
MEDLINE Search
A MEDLINE search reveals the latest research on the use of EMDR for the treatment of PTSD. Click on the link below and enter the terms emdr ptsd (do not use and or use quotes)
MEDLINE Search for EMDR and PTSD
Lesson 3.3 covers how to conduct MEDLINE searches.
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