HOW CAN INSOMNIA BE DIAGNOSED
Esperts share the same view that insomnia is one of the common problems that have been underdiagnosed, thus emphasizing the need for heightened awareness, diagnosis and treatment. Researches also state that among those who suffer from insomnia, only 5% consult their doctor while 70% do not inform their doctor regarding their condition. Sometimes, insomnia is actually a symptom of a major psychological or physiological disorder that still needs to be diagnosed.
In diagnosing insomnia, several tests and exams on sleep disorder can be used. If you have suspicions that you are suffering from insomnia or other sleeping difficulties, it is recommended that you consult your doctor or other health care expert. Usually, you will be asked to take a medical exam and share your sleep history to identify the cause of your sleeping difficulty. Other methods of diagnosing may also be incorporated, as to the perusal of the doctor or expert. The clinical history of the patient will also be analyzed and evaluated. The clinical history will look into the difficulty in falling or maintaining sleep, the presence of a significant impairment in the normal functioning of the person when awake.
One aspect that your doctor might look for in your medical exam is if you have any case of a psychological or medical disorder that may be triggering your sleeping difficulty. One of the tests that can be used to diagnose insomnia is a sleep diary. This can help your doctor understand and analyze your sleeping patterns and may be required from you for a few weeks.
In general, the sleep diary revolves around the sleep history of a person. The information included in this sleep diary are the sleep parameters, frequency since the start of the condition, factors that may have triggered the condition, residual effects, sleep hygiene or habits, and response to previous treatments or therapies, if any.
Another method would also be the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Used to assess daytime sleepiness, this scale is a validated questionnaire. Polysomnogram, a test that measures brain activity during sleep, can also be used. It is actually used if major physiological and psychological disorders, such as narcolepsy and sleep-related epilepsy, are suspected based on the results of the sleep diary and physical or medical exam. Doctors can also use small devices worn in the wrists like a wristwatch, called actigraphy, that measures movement and assesses sleep patterns over a specific period of time. Because insomnia can be brought about by psychological disorders, a mental health exam can also be included in your assessment. This exam looks into your mental health history and mental health evaluations. Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) is also another optional diagnosis method.