Clinician handoff
Sleep
Designed for a 60-second scan in primary care. Use this to explain why this theory fits, what would weaken it, and which tests are most worth discussing.
Why this still fits
I want to evaluate whether broken or unrefreshing sleep is driving my brain fog and how to separate that from sleep apnea, circadian drift, anxiety, or metabolic overlap.
What would weaken it
- -Does the pattern improve after several nights of a fixed wake time, or does it stay unchanged?
- -Are the main clues insomnia and fragmentation, or are there stronger signs of sleep apnea such as snoring, witnessed pauses, gasping, or morning headaches?
- -If the study was 'normal,' were RERAs or flow limitation assessed so UARS was not missed?
Key points to communicate
- •Please document what findings would confirm this cause versus lower confidence.
- •I want an evidence-first workup with clear follow-up criteria.
- •Please note which competing causes should be checked in parallel if results are inconclusive.
- •Please separate metabolic, sleep, autonomic, and medication overlap before narrowing to one cause.
Tests and measurements to discuss
Need the fuller context? Use the test explainers for the measurement itself, or jump back to the tests section on the Sleep page to see how the tests fit the whole pattern.
Sleep diary + PSQI review
What this helps clarify: This is here to make sure the story is not being driven by sleep-disordered breathing or chronic sleep disruption that only looks like ADHD on bad days.
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
What this helps clarify: This is here to make sure the story is not being driven by sleep-disordered breathing or chronic sleep disruption that only looks like ADHD on bad days.
Sleep apnea screening or sleep study
What this helps clarify: Overnight polysomnography explainer framed around the patient-facing 'sleep study' language most people actually search.
Range context
Sleep report
How to use the result
Ask whether the goal is to rule in sleep apnea, UARS, or another sleep-disruption pattern.
Actigraphy if timing drift is part of the story
What this helps clarify: Wrist-worn sleep tracker — assesses circadian patterns
Range context
7+ days tracking
How to use the result
Save the result with date and symptoms from the same week.
CBT-I referral
Sleep Apnea Screening
Discuss whether a home sleep test or in-lab polysomnography fits better. If the story sounds more like repeated arousals than obvious apneas, ask whether the report included RERAs or other signs of UARS.
What this helps clarify: This is here to make sure the story is not being driven by sleep-disordered breathing or chronic sleep disruption that only looks like ADHD on bad days.
Sleep Diary, PSQI, and ESS Review
Bring a short sleep diary and, if possible, a PSQI and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. That gives the visit more signal than saying you feel tired.
What this helps clarify: This is here to make sure the story is not being driven by sleep-disordered breathing or chronic sleep disruption that only looks like ADHD on bad days.
Blood Panel for Sleep Disruptors
Check ferritin with iron studies, thyroid, and glucose markers when the story includes restless legs, 3-4am waking, post-meal crashes, or other overlap clues.
What this helps clarify: This is here to make sure the story is not being driven by sleep-disordered breathing or chronic sleep disruption that only looks like ADHD on bad days.
Peer-reviewed references