VALUATION
A focused sleep history should be obtained from the patient and, if possible, the bed partner. This includes duration of symptom, types and severity of resulting impairment, spe- cific difficulties (falling or staying asleep), sleep patterns and habits, and identified triggering/promoting factors. A sleep diary (Table 1) can provide details initially unrecog- nized by the patient. Relevant personal and societal factors (isolation, loneliness, bereavement, change in residence, security, or financial concerns) that may indicate a tempo- rary situational insomnia are key historical factors. Medical and psychiatric conditions that can impair sleep, including drug and alcohol history, also should be carefully investi- gated (Table 2).
A thorough but focused physical examination, including neurologic and mental status assessment, should seek con- firmation of conditions suggested in the history, including evidence of comorbid, insomnia-promoting conditions listed in Table 2.
When history and physical suggest sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or narcolepsy, or when the diagnosis is un- certain, treatment fails, or wakening is associated with vi- olent or injurious behavior, further testing such as survey tools and polysomnography3 should be used. Referral may