Chapter 9
When to Seek Professional Help
If you can no longer bear the sleepless and restless nights brought by your sleep disorder and if you have already tried all the ways to get a good night’s sleep but they did not seem to work, maybe it is about time to seek professional help. With the presence of sleep specialists and accredited sleep disorder centers, you can have a chance to get your sleep cycle back on track.
When to Seek Professional Help?
Before you finally decide to consult a sleep specialist or physician, you should first know when to do it. The following are some of the indicators:
- You can no longer remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep
- You can count the hours you sleep on just one hand
- You find yourself waking up repeatedly through the night
- When you wake up, you feel like you are walking in a fog or going through the motions
- Your sleep deprivation affects your daily life at home, in school or at work
- You no longer enjoy the activities that you once loved to do
- You fall into deep sleep at inappropriate periods
What Does a Sleep Physician Do?
If you experience the abovementioned indicators, there is no doubt that you have to start looking for a qualified sleep specialist.
But what does a sleep specialist do?
- A sleep specialist has certification in the sleep medicine sub-specialty and has specialization in the clinical evaluation, management, diagnosis, physiological testing and deterrence of circadian rhythm and sleep disorders.
- A sleep specialist treats patients with the use of multidisciplinary approaches. The disorders that are managed by sleep specialists involve, but are not restricted to parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-related movement disorders, hypersomnia, insomnia and sleep-related breathing disorders.
If you feel like a living zombie due to sleepless and restless nights, don’t prolong your agony anymore. By simply looking for a certified and experienced sleep specialist, you will be able to get the help you need. So, start looking for one now!