When Falling Asleep Feels Like Falling Apart: Understanding Fear of Sleep and Its Ties to Insomnia, PTSD, Anxiety, and OCD

By Courtney Worley, Ph.D., ABPP, DBSM, M.P.H.

Posted: September 12, 2026

Most people who struggle with sleep are afraid of NOT sleeping. But there is a smaller, less-discussed group of people for whom the dread runs in the opposite direction. For them, the frightening moment is not the hours of wakefulness.: it is the instant sleep starts to take hold. They fight to stay awake, not because they cannot sleep, but because some part of them does not want to.

Supportive Parenting of Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)

By Misti Norton, Ph.D., DBSM

Children

OCD Anxiety

Posted: July 31, 2025

What can you do when your child won’t earnestly participate in therapy? Many parents are surprised to learn that SPACE training for parents can make a drastic difference in their child’s anxiety or OCD symptoms, even though the child may not attend the therapy at all! That’s because parents have such a powerful impact on their child’s understanding of the world and how they can handle situations.

The Importance of Integrated Treatment for Co-occurring OCD and PTSD

By Courtney Worley, Ph.D., ABPP, DBSM, M.P.H.

PTSD

OCD

Posted: June 29, 2025

Individuals dealing with both Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often face unique challenges. These two conditions, while distinct, can intertwine in ways that exacerbate symptoms, making effective treatment more intricate. While both have effective treatments, the treatments are not interchangeable between disorders. Misdiagnosis is common. OCD can be mistaken for a number of conditions, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, depression, and PTSD. This is why it’s crucial to seek a therapist trained in both OCD and PTSD to ensure an integrated, comprehensive approach to recovery.