Different sleep concerns can look similar from the outside. Difficulty sleeping, unusual nighttime experiences, breathing concerns, or strong daytime sleepiness may need different kinds of assessment. Use observations to prepare a conversation instead of deciding the cause yourself.
How to use this page
Choose the main concern and note rough timing and impact. Include existing diagnoses or prescribed equipment only if relevant.
Organize observations
Separate what you experience from what someone else has observed. Include medications or schedule changes to discuss without stopping or adjusting them yourself.
Ask about next steps
Prepare questions about evaluation, safe daily activities, treatment options, and follow-up. If you are too sleepy to drive or do hazardous work safely, arrange a safer option.
Reflection prompts
Use these questions in conversation, on paper, or in the downloaded PDF. You may adapt or skip a prompt.
What happens during sleep or attempts to sleep?
What daytime effect or safety concern does it create?
What relevant observations or care-plan details should I bring?
What assessment and follow-up questions do I want answered?
Facilitator notes and adaptation
This is not a diagnostic inventory. Do not prescribe sleep restriction, light therapy, medication changes, or device settings. Acute breathing difficulty, severe confusion, or other emergency symptoms require urgent care; address dangerous sleepiness promptly.
Sources behind the concepts
These sources inform the concepts in this original resource. They do not validate or endorse this specific page.
About SleepCenters for Disease Control and Prevention · 2024
Sleep health, age related sleep needs, sleep habits, and seeking care for sleep problems.