Getting Diagnose With Insomnia

• How long does it take to fall asleep?

• How many times a week does it occur?

• How restful is sleep?

• Does the difficulty lie in getting to sleep or in waking up early?

• What is the sleep environment like (Noisy? Not dark enough?)?

• How does insomnia affect daytime functioning?

• What medications are being taken (including the use of self-medications for insomnia, such as herbs, alcohol, and over-the-counter or prescription drugs)?

• Is the patient taking or withdrawing from stimulants, such as coffee or tobacco?

• How much alcohol is consumed per day?

• What stresses or emotional factors may be present?

• Has the patient experienced any significant life changes?

• Does the patient snore or gasp during sleep (an indication of sleep apnea)?

• Does the patient have leg problems (cramps, twitching, crawling feelings)?

• If there is a bed partner, is his or her behavior distressing or disturbing?

• Is the patient a shift worker?
It may be suggested that you keep a sleep diary to keep track of your sleeping habits. Every day for two weeks, the patient should record all sleep-related information, including responses to questions listed above described on a daily basis. A bed partner can help by adding his or her observations of the patient's sleep behavior.

Here's what you should include in your sleep diary:

• Time you went to bed and woke up

• Total sleep hours

• Quality of sleep

• Times that you were awake during the night and what you did (e.g. stayed in bed with eyes closed or got up, had a glass of milk and meditated)

• Amount of caffeine or alcohol you consumed and times of consumption

• Types of food and drink and times of consumption

• Feelings - happiness, sadness, stress, anxiety

• Drugs or medications taken, amounts taken and times of consumption.

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