Self-assessment Quiz

Boy sleeping

The following tests are used to assess your level of sleepiness. There are many reasons why a person does not sleep well or feels tired throughout the day and not every case of daytime sleepiness requires further investigation. However, when sleepiness is an ongoing problem for a week or more, an undiagnosed sleep disorder may be present.

For each these self-assessments you will need a pen/pencil, a piece of paper and a flexible measuring tape (like one used in sewing). Under each heading on your piece of paper, you will be able to write your total scores for each assessment and then compare these with the standard results.

1. EPWORTH SLEEPINESS SCALE

This questionnaire rates “How likely are you to fall asleep in the following situations”?
0 = would never doze
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing

Sitting and reading
Watching television
Sitting, inactive in a public place (theatre, meeting)
As a passenger in a car for an hour with no break
Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
Sitting and talking to someone
Sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol
In a car while stopped for a few minutes in traffic

Total Score:
A score of 10 or above indicates you may be having a problem with daytime sleepiness.

However, below 10 does not necessarily mean you do not have a problem. Many people that suffer from a sleep disorder are able to carry on with their day without excessive daytime sleepiness and may only have one or two of the odd symptoms mentioned above. However, if you do experience any of these and other symptoms, making an appointment for an assessment may be warranted.

2. STANFORD SLEEPINESS SCALE

Most people who do not work night-shifts have two peak times of alertness daily, at about 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Alertness wanes to its lowest point at around 3 p.m. and after that it begins to build again.

This test assesses how awake you are at different times during the day and the effect of continued sleep deprivation on your life. Ideally, during the day when you go about your business i.e. at work, at school or university, and around the home, you would want a rating of 1.

Degree of Sleepiness Scale Rating

Feeling active, vital, alert, or wide awake		1
Functioning at high levels, but not at peak; able to concentrate		2
Awake, but relaxed; responsive but not fully alert		3
Somewhat foggy, let down		4
Foggy; losing interest in remaining awake; slowed down		5
Sleepy, woozy, fighting sleep; prefer to lie down		6
No longer fighting sleep, sleep onset soon; having dream-like thoughts		7
Asleep		8

Rate your alertness at different times during the day:

5 minutes after you wake up.
At the breakfast table.
Driving to work.
After lunch.
Driving home from work.
Preparing dinner.
Sitting watching TV.
Having a conversation in the evening with friends and family.

If you go below a 3 when you should be feeling alert, this is an indication that you have a serious sleep debt and you need more sleep. Sleep debt can occur from a variety of reasons including long work hours, stress, illness, a sick child, shift work, noise when trying to sleep, medications, caffeine, pain, and snoring and sleep apnoea.

3. FLEMONS PREDICTOR

This test predicts the likelihood of a person having Obstructive Sleep Apnoea by measuring the circumference of the neck and adding this measurement to other scores.

Neck size (measure circumference of neck with a tape measure in
centimetres) = cm
If you have High Blood Pressure or are on high blood pressure
medications = add 4
If you are a Habitual Snorer (snore most nights) = add 3
If you have been reported to Choke, Gasp, or Stop Breathing during sleep = add 3
Total your score by adding neck circumference with the scores in Qu 2, 3, and 4.

Total Score =

<43 = Low Probability you suffer Sleep Apnoea

43 - 48 = Intermediate Probability (4-8 times as probable as low probability)

>48 = High Probability (20 times as probable as low probability)

Please read over your answers to these questions and consider them carefully. Whilst they may be fun and interesting, excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, choking and gasping, falling asleep in front of the television, difficulty concentrating, and irritability are all signs and symptoms that you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. These are subtle signs that may be a precursor to serious and life threatening complications that require further investigation.

To make an appointment for an assessment, please contact us via the ‘Contacts’ page.

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