You do not need
all the answers first.
A useful appointment starts with what you have noticed. A clinician can help consider causes, further assessment and treatment options.
Bring the concerns that matter.
Sleep difficulties affecting daily life
Ongoing difficulty sleeping, significant distress or problems coping during the day are reasons to ask for advice.
Breathing or repeated sleepiness
Breathing pauses, gasping or persistent daytime sleepiness need assessment. Do not wait months to discuss these.
Behaviour or injury risk
Repeated dream enactment, frequent sleepwalking or events that put someone at risk also merit assessment.
What might happen next?
A GP may ask about sleep timing, health, mood, medicines and observations from someone who has seen your sleep. A diary can help show patterns; you do not need to complete one before asking for help.
Some people need a sleep test or specialist review. Others may be offered treatment such as CBT-I, a medication review or treatment for a particular condition. An overnight test is not necessary for every sleep concern.
Make a short set of appointment notes.
These notes stay in this page’s memory. They are not sent to a clinician or saved by the module. Download or print a copy if you want to keep them.