Can a Blanket Actually Help Treat PTSD?
Updated: Jan 21, 2021
$79.99 - $119.99 depending on weight
In all seriousness, I am currently typing this cuddled up under this blanket. It has not left my bed since I got it and I can't imagine it ever will.
When I first learned about Dr. Hart's I fell in love with the company. The blanket was designed by Dr. Karen Hart - a practicing neurologist with experience in treating PTSD patients. The design of the blanket is based on clinical research conducted on deep pressure touch stimulation.
I had heard a lot of great things about weighted or gravity blankets over the years, but knowing Dr. Hart's background and research into the product made me feel like this one was worth a shot.
So, before I get into the review - a little about me and my sleep cycle. I suffer from trauma-related PTSD, although, I do maintain it with both medication and therapy. I also have a natural tendency to move around a lot at night and I rarely wake up in the same position. It's also very rare that I sleep through the night without waking up at least once.
The first thing I noticed is that laying under it is immediately relaxing. I can't explain it any way except it feels like a hug from someone you care about. If you stay under it for just half an hour to read etc you'll almost feel like you're in a meditative state when you're done.
But, for me, the real test was the sleep test. I got this around the time that I had tendinitis in my right shoulder - making sleeping on my right side a huge problem, but honestly, I would still wake up on my right side about 50% of the time even though I never started on it.
The first night I tried it I did still wake up once during the night - I honestly can't remember the last time I slept through an entire night without waking up, so this was no shock. I was very happy to report that I was still laying on my back, which is normally pretty unheard of for me. Since then I've also noticed that I wake up a bit less during the night and always wake up on my back when I use this now. It was not just helpful as my shoulder healed, but a huge plus for my back in general.
I've also noticed that it relaxes a lot of my tight muscles. It's possible in my case that it's just that the reduction of stress is the main cause of the improvement in muscle tightness, but I'm thrilled with my results.
10% of every purchase goes to either the PTSD Foundation of America or the Organization for Autism Research - customer's choice. Pretty fitting since they recommend the blanket for PTSD-related anxiety (like mine), Autism, sensory processing disorder, and general sleep disorders.
If you want to try it out for yourself, make sure to use my affiliate links in this article. It helps me keep this blog going!