Understanding your sleep, to restore your rest.
A thorough psychiatric assessment for adults whose sleep has been disrupted by insomnia, anxiety, low mood or an unclear cause -looking at the full picture, not just the symptom.
Often a symptom, not just a standalone problem
Poor sleep is common, but persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking unrefreshed -most nights, for weeks or longer -is worth a proper assessment. Sleep problems very often sit alongside anxiety, depression, stress or other psychiatric conditions, either as a cause, a consequence, or both.
Treating sleep in isolation, without looking at what's driving it, rarely works for long. A proper assessment looks at your sleep pattern, your mental and physical health, and your daily habits, to find an approach that actually addresses the cause.
What sleep difficulties can look like
Sleep difficulties take different forms -some of the most common include:
Difficulty falling asleep
Lying awake with racing thoughts, unable to switch off even when tired.
Waking during the night
Frequent waking, with difficulty getting back to sleep afterwards.
Early waking
Waking well before intended and being unable to fall back asleep -often linked to low mood.
Unrefreshing sleep
Sleeping a reasonable number of hours but still waking up exhausted.
Daytime impact
Fatigue, low concentration, irritability or low mood during the day as a result of poor sleep.
Reversed or irregular pattern
A sleep-wake schedule that has drifted significantly, making a normal routine hard to maintain.
How sleep difficulties are assessed and treated
A structured process, built around what's actually driving your sleep difficulties.
Sleep history
A detailed review of your sleep pattern, habits, and how long the difficulty has been present.
Looking at contributing factors
Considering anxiety, mood, physical health, medication and lifestyle factors that can disrupt sleep.
Treatment plan
A tailored plan -which may include structured sleep strategies, CBT, or medication review where appropriate.
Follow-up & adjustment
Regular review to monitor progress and adjust the plan as your sleep improves.
Where anxiety or low mood are part of the picture, treating them directly -including with CBT therapy -often improves sleep too.
Consultations for sleep difficulties
Ongoing care is billed as a standard consultation -there is no separate rate for sleep difficulties specifically.
Fees
Sleep difficulties -your questions
Will I be prescribed sleeping tablets?
Not automatically. Medication is one option among several, and is considered carefully given the risks of long-term use. Structured sleep strategies and treating any underlying cause are often just as effective, and preferred as a first step.
Do I need a sleep study first?
Not usually for difficulties linked to anxiety, mood or stress. A sleep study is more relevant for suspected physical sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea, and can be arranged separately if needed.
Do you offer online consultations?
Yes, follow-up consultations and medication reviews can be carried out by secure video call. Initial assessments are generally recommended in person.
Are your fees covered by insurance?
Many private health insurers offer partial cover for psychiatric consultations. I'd recommend checking directly with your provider, as cover varies by plan.