Insomnia — which specialty
Difficulty falling asleep, waking in the night, or waking far too early and not getting back to sleep.
Usually seen by
NeurologyPsychiatry
Other directions, depending on what comes with it:
- ENT — if you snore loudly and someone has seen you stop breathing
- General internal medicine — if a painful condition disturbs the night
Not sure you have picked the right one? Start with general internal medicine — routing you to the right place is their job, not yours.
Go now, without waiting for an appointment, if any of these apply
- Insomnia with thoughts of harming yourself — that needs saying now, not at the next appointment
This list is not exhaustive and does not replace judgement on the spot. If something is clearly wrong and you are unsure, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest facility — waiting in order to be certain is the most dangerous way to spend the time.
What you will be asked — have the answers ready
- Difficulty falling asleep, waking in the night, or waking early — these three differ
- What time you go to bed, when you fall asleep, and when you wake
- Whether you doze in the day, or feel sleepy while driving
- Whether you snore, and whether anyone has seen you stop breathing
- What you use to sleep: medicines, alcohol, supplements
A first appointment is short. Having these answers ready is the cheapest way to avoid a second visit that exists only to supply information.
Bring with you
- A two-week sleep diary: bedtime, time asleep, number of wakings, time up
- What the person sleeping beside you has noticed — they see what you cannot
What a first visit usually involves
- Detailed questions about the routine before bed, the room, and screen light
- Screening for anxiety, low mood and sleep apnoea
- A discussion of behavioural approaches before any discussion of medicines