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For Adult Sleep Clinic

| Causes | Treatment | Appointments and Referrals |

The Sleep Disorder Clinic manages patients with insomnia, defined as a poor quality of sleep that could be a result of the following:

difficulty falling asleep,
waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep,
waking up too early in the morning,
unrefreshing sleep

Insomnia is a condition that affects the quality and/or duration of a person's sleep or the behaviour during sleep Insomnia can be a primary sleep problem or secondary to a mental condition or related to a medical illness or substance abuse.

Studies estimate that 10% to 15% of the adult population have chronic sleep problem and an additional 25% to 35% of the population have transient or occasional sleep difficulties.

Certain individuals are vulnerable for example the elderly whose sleep is more fragmented and teenagers who sometimes have difficulty falling asleep until late at night and awaking early in the morning. Shift workers and those who travel frequently are also at increased risk for insomnia.

Causes
Sleep can be affected by numerous factors and six groups of etiologies have been proposed for sleep difficulties. Physical or medical disorders for example conditions causing pain, itch, cough, breathlessness etc. can disrupt substances such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol also impair sleep.

Circadian rhythm problem such as shift work and jet lag; psychological factors and psychiatric disorder such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. Lifestyle issues, poor sleep habits and environmental factors such as noise, light and temperature also interrupt sleep.

If sleep problems persist and are bothersome or if they interfere with how you feel or function during the day, you may need to seek your doctors' advice.

If sleep problem worsen and are not treated complications such as psychiatric disorders can occur. The quality of life of the individual is likely to be compromised, the work performance effected and he or she is at significant risk of accidents such as vehicle accidents.

Treatment
Treatment of sleep problems depends upon the specific sleep problem and can be broadly classified into non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment. Good sleep habits can prevent many cases from worsening, some recommendations for good Sleep Hygiene include:

Avoid excessive day time naps
Do not go to bed until you are drowsy
Wake-up at approximately the same time each morning including weekends
Avoid alcohol and caffeine before bedtime
Exercise regularly
Make the sleep environment conducive to sleep
Have a light snack before bedtime
Pay proper attention to stress reduction

Sometime sleep problem resolve spontaneously. At other times, medicines for example sleeping pills may be needed. Benzodiazepines are the most frequently prescribed hypnotics. There are also non-benzodiazepines, newer medications without the side-effects noted with benzodiazepines.

Other behavioural techniques that are taught to improve sleep include relaxation therapy, stimulus control and sleep restriction therapy. These are specific techniques that reduce or eliminate anxiety and body tension and recondition individuals to associate the bed and bedtime with sleep.

Seek treatment early and don't suffer unnecessarily. Help is available and effective.

Appointments and Referrals
All patients are seen by appointment. The family doctor or social agencies, can make referrals. The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) provides specialist outpatient services for psychological and psychiatric problems. Our dedicated multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, medical social workers and occupational therapists ensure that our patients receive comprehensive care. Treatment is designed to meet each person's needs. Please click on the clinics for more information.

Clinics

Specialist Clinic B

Behavioural Medicine Clinic

What to bring on your first visit
On your first visit to the clinic please bring along the following documents for registration:

Referral letter from your doctor (if any)
Identity card
Passport/Visa (foreigners only)
Work permit (if any)
Medical Benefits / Concession Cards
Please confirm with the counter staff prior to admission

Please click here for contact details and locations of the clinics.