These days it seems that the majority of us are not satisfied with the quantity and/or quality of their sleep, and it isn’t for a lack of trying. We have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or wake up too early in the morning. This is normal, on occasion. However, if this is happening several times a week for at least a month there may be more going on.

Sleep is important! If you are having sleep issues, answer these questions to help rule out medical conditions and sleep disorders as the problem:

Group 1
1. Have you been told that you snore loudly?
2, Do you sometimes awaken gasping for breath?
3. Have you been told that you stop breathing during your sleep?
4. Are you so sleepy in the daytime that you often tend to fall asleep when you are seated or become inactive?
5. When you wake up in the morning do you still tend to feel tired and unrested?
6. Do you often have a headache or dry mouth when you awaken in the morning?
Group 2
1. Do you often have an urge to move your legs?
2. Is the urge to move your legs accompanied by an annoying sensation such as crawling, tingling, drawing, or general restlessness in your legs?
3. Do the symptoms described in questions 1 and 2 go away briefly if you move your legs or walk?
4. Do the symptoms in your legs get worse when you are at rest?
5. Do you tend to have the urge to move your legs or restless sensations more so in the late afternoon or evening hours?
6, Do your restless symptoms make it difficult for you to fall asleep or stay asleep at night?
Group 3
1. Do you have a medical condition such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or a recent injury that causes you pain?
2. Does the pain from this condition make it difficult for you to get to sleep at night or does it awaken you in the middle of the night?
3. If your pain would go away, do you think that your sleep problem would be dramatically reduced or perhaps even eliminated?
Group 4
1. Do you feel sad, blue, or depressed much of the time?
2. Do you seem to have little energy and motivation to do what you need to do each day?
3. Have you lost interest in socializing or engaging in your hobbies?
4. Has your appetite changed or have you recently lost weight without trying to do so?
5. Do you often have times during which you just want to retreat to your bed?
6. Do you have periods of feeling unusually good or on top of the world for no reason?
7. Do have periods when you seem to have an extremely high amount of energy such that you lose your interest in or need for sleep for several days at a time?
8. Do you seem to worry about many things in addition to your sleep?
9. Do you feel uptight, anxious, or stressed much of the time?
10. Do you tend to have palpitations, excessive sweating, or shortness of breath when you are put under pressure or become the center of attention in a social situation?

Edinger, J. D., & Carney, C. (2015). Overcoming insomnia : a cognitive- behavioral therapy approach : therapist guide. Oxford University Press.

The questions in Group 1 pertain to sleep apnea, which is a sleep disorder characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing while sleeping. The questions in Group 2 pertain to restless legs syndrome, which is neurological condition that is characterized by the overwhelming urge to move the legs during sleep. The questions in Group 3 pertain to painful medical conditions to interrupt sleep. If you answered “yes” to any of the questions in Groups 1-3, you may benefit from talking to your physician about treatment options.

The questions in Group 4 pertain to mental health problems that are interferring with sleep. If you answered “yes” to any questions in Group 4, you may benefit from talking to either a mental health therapist or your physician about treatment options.

‌Sleep is important! Let’s work together to find out what’s keeping you up at night- schedule an appointment with me today.

Love yourself, you deserve it!