Which specialist performs insomnia management?

A general-practice doctor is a useful first contact for difficulty falling asleep, waking often, or waking too early. They can review your sleep pattern, medicines, caffeine and alcohol use, mood, pain, breathing symptoms, and other health conditions that may disturb sleep.

A clinical psychologist may provide cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, often called CBT for insomnia. This structured approach can address habits, unhelpful thoughts about sleep, time spent awake in bed, and the link between the bedroom and wakefulness. A sleep physician or another specialist may be involved when symptoms suggest a sleep disorder needing further assessment.

Keep a sleep diary before your appointment if you can. Record when you go to bed, estimated time to fall asleep, awakenings, final waking time, naps, and how alert you feel during the day. Also list medicines, supplements, shift work, snoring, restless sensations, and recent stressors.

Keep a consistent wake time, reduce stimulating activities near bedtime, and use the bed for sleep rather than prolonged worrying or screen use. Do not start or stop sleep medicines without discussing the plan with a clinician, because the cause of insomnia and the safest treatment vary between people.

Arrange medical review when poor sleep is affecting concentration, driving, work, mood, or daily safety. Seek prompt help for several nights of almost no sleep with unusually high energy, racing thoughts, impulsive behaviour, or severe agitation.

Get urgent support if sleeplessness occurs with thoughts of self-harm, hallucinations, severe confusion, chest symptoms, or dangerous daytime sleepiness. Do not drive when you feel unable to stay alert.

Ask what may be causing your insomnia, whether CBT for insomnia is suitable, whether snoring or restless legs needs assessment, how long to try each treatment, and when a sleep specialist should be involved.