Sleep Disturbances Among Yazidi Survivors of the ISIS Genocide: Epidemiology, Neuropsychology, and Culturally Sensitive Interventions
Abstract
The Yazidi community endured an unprecedented genocide by the Islamic State (ISIS) in August 2014, resulting in mass killings, kinocide, abductions, ongoing disappearances, and sexual enslavement. The intense trauma led to high prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and profound sleep disturbances. This comprehensive article integrates epidemiological data, neurobiological mechanisms, and clinical case reports to elucidate sleep disorders among Yazidi survivors. We detail the historical context, transgenerational trauma, specific sleep-related pathologies (insomnia, nightmares, parasomnias, and disrupted circadian rhythms), neurobiological underpinnings, cultural factors, and evidence-based interventions (e.g., Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)). Furthermore, we discuss the establishment and role of the Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP) at the University of Duhok, outline barriers to care, and propose future research directions and policy recommendations.
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