Table 2.

Components of a sleep history.

1. Define the specific sleep problem

What is the primary complaint?

2. Assess the clinical course

When did the sleep problem begin?

3. Examine recent factors/changes that can affect sleep

Recent medical, psychiatric, and surgical history, recent changes in medications?

*Recent travel history (crossing time-zones), changes in work hours?

4. Evaluate sleep/wakefulness patterns

*When does the patient get into bed, how long does it take them to fall asleep?

*What is the final rising time?

How many times during the night does the patient awaken, for what reasons (to void, environmental, unknown), how long does it take them to fall back asleep?

*Regularity of bedtimes and wake times (including work days vs. days off)?

5. Evaluate sleep hygiene

What is the sleep environment (noise, light, bed partner)?

What is the pre-bedtime routine (including medications)?

What are the current medications that could impact sleep or daytime sleepiness (including caffeine, alcohol, sedatives)

6. Obtain information from the patient or bed partner about signs associated with specific sleep disorders

Is there snoring, gasping, morning headache, limb movements?

7. Evaluate the impact of the disorder on the patient

What is the patient's daytime functioning (daytime sleepiness, napping, job performance)?

^*Key questions for CRSD diagnosis.