Do You Have a Sleep Disorder?

Users always ask me how they can tell if they have a sleep disorder. The advice I usually give them is to use a log book and record any happenings before, during or after your sleep. You will be pleasantly surprised at the results you can glean when you look at these seemingly isolated incidents at a later time.

Typically, a sign that you have a sleep disorder is if you have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep, problems staying awake, unusual behaviors during sleep (e.g., sleep walking, restless leg syndrome or grinding of teeth), very loud, disruptive snoring, or episodes where people see you stop breathing during sleep (sleep apnea). If any of these issues are present, check out my other articles for some simple home remedies you can try tonight. Usually, poor sleep habits are mistaken for sleep disorders; you should definitely exhaust all the options suggested before going for professional help. Next, I will talk about the main questions you have to ask yourself to verify if you have a sleep disorder.

How is your sleep? Note if you have difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, or if the problem is early morning awakening. Also, be able to assess if the problem is dependent on quality versus quantity of sleep. If you have difficulty sleeping, do you get stressed and frustrated by your inability to sleep? What do you do when you can’t sleep? Head to the fridge, read a book or watch the television?

What happens while you are asleep? Obviously, a bed partner would be most useful to answer these questions. Is loud snoring or witnessed apneas (stopping of breathing) present? Note if there are any repetitive movements that occur during sleep or when relaxing trying to get to sleep. Do you dream about threatening or frightening situations on a frequent basis? Do you experience unexplained episodes of night terrors? Do you sleep walk, talk, grind your teeth, or wake up confused?What is you weekday and weekend bedtime and rise time? An important differentiating factor in judging the significance of a sleep problem is if it is present even when you have the chance to “sleep in.” Also important is how continuous the sleep is. Are there many awakenings and if so how long are they? Bear in mind that sleeping for 9 hours and being awakened in the middle of the night might not be as productive a sleep as 8 hours of uninterrupted rest.

How tired are you during the day? Do you notice yourself closing your eyes while driving, working or studying? How easy is it for you to feel lethargic?

What is your medical and psychiatric history? Many psychiatric and medical conditions will affect the way you sleep, so be able to name your medical problems. Your depression or anxiousness might be the cause of your sleeplessness.  Also, do you use any medications to help you sleep or stay awake, even over-the-counter drugs such as sleeping/caffeine pills? Make a list of supplements/medication that you take regularly.

Do you have any poor sleep habits like watching the television or exercising too close to bed time? Check out my other articles for poor sleep habits you can work on correcting tonight to start sleeping better.

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