Identifying customers with short-term insomnia
Identifying customers with short-term insomnia
Customers may spontaneously mention that they are tired or struggling to sleep, they may ask for products that will give them an energy boost, or you may notice bags or dark circles under their eyes. Effective exploratory questions may help to identify those with short-term insomnia and those you may have to refer.
You can consider the following as a guide:2,9,10
Do you find it hard to go to sleep?
Do you wake up several times in the night?
Do you lie awake at night?
Do you wake up early and cannot go back to sleep?
Next, you should consider whether these sleep problems are associated with impaired daytime functioning by asking questions such as:2,9,10
Do you still feel tired after waking up?
Do you find it hard to nap during
the day even though you're tired?
Do you feel irritable during the day?
Do you find it difficult to concentrate
during the day because you're tired?
Remember to check how long these symptoms have been present for.
WHEN TO REFER:
Chronic insomnia
- If the aforementioned symptoms occur on at least 3 nights per week for 3 months or more
Suspected sleep disorders
- Customers who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness and who could easily sleep in the day. (Customers with insomnia are usually ‘tired but wired’ and unable to nap)
- Customers who have fallen asleep in an inappropriate or public space, or those who have uncontrollable episodes of sleepiness
If you are satisfied that your customer has short-term insomnia you can offer timely advice.