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Clinique Alpa
020 8882 8088Book an appointment

Mental wellbeing

Sleep problems and insomnia

Make space to discuss sleep, daytime functioning and possible next steps without assuming that a medicine is the answer.

Remote suitability: limited. An examination or face to face care may be needed.

Overview

Sleep difficulties can involve getting to sleep, waking repeatedly, waking earlier than intended or feeling unrested. The effect during the day is an important part of the story. Insomnia is not the only possible explanation for tiredness, so a careful account helps guide the next step.

It can be frustrating to be told only to sleep more when you have already tried to change things. Explain what a typical night looks like and what the following day is like. The aim of a consultation is to understand the problem and the options for assessment, not to judge how well you follow a routine.

By video

A remote conversation may help explore sleep patterns, work and caring routines, mood, physical symptoms and current medicines. A short sleep diary can give the discussion a practical starting point. It does not need to be exact to the minute or produced by a device.

Tell the doctor what you want help with first: getting through the working day, understanding repeated waking, or knowing whether another condition needs investigating. An assessment may lead to advice about habits, psychological approaches, further assessment or another service. It does not imply that sleeping medicines will be offered.

By telephone

Telephone can provide space to discuss sleep patterns, daily functioning, mood and factors that may disturb sleep. Some possibilities, such as breathing problems during sleep, need further assessment. The conversation should identify appropriate next steps rather than presume that a prescription is needed.

What cannot be done remotely

A video consultation cannot perform a sleep study or exclude all causes of daytime tiredness. Loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses or gasping during sleep may need assessment for a different sleep disorder. A doctor may recommend further care rather than treating the problem as simple insomnia.

Clinique Alpa is not an emergency mental health or specialist sleep service. Its final scope for sleep consultations still needs clinical approval. Read the prescribing policy before booking and do not use a routine appointment to bridge an urgent crisis or to obtain a particular medicine.

What to prepare

  • Keep brief notes about bedtime, waking, naps and how alert you feel during the day.
  • List medicines, supplements, caffeine, alcohol and any sleep products, including unwanted effects.
  • Mention shift work, caring responsibilities, pain, mood changes and major recent events.
  • If someone has noticed snoring, breathing pauses or unusual sleep behaviour, describe what they observed.
  • Tell the doctor if sleepiness affects driving or another task where a lapse could be dangerous. Do not drive when sleepy.

Sources

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