The first thing to remember is that sleep disorders are more than just an occasional bad night. If any of the following apply, you might wish to discuss your sleep with a healthcare professional.
- You have had problems for several (3 or more) nights every week for 3 months or more.
- You feel tired all day (it is normal to feel tired for a while in the middle of the day).
- You fall asleep during the day, especially if you fall asleep without planning to i.e., while watching TV. This may be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
- You cannot settle at night because of a restless feeling in your limbs that was not there during the day.
If you do not have any of these features, it is much less likely that you have a sleep disorder. The advice on these pages may help you get back to your usual sleep but be kind to yourself; things are likely to recover by themselves without needing to make big changes.