Adjust Font Sizing:

Epworth Sleepiness Scale

Do I have narcolepsy? | Epworth Sleepiness Scale

As noted in the section About Narcolepsy, only a physician can definitely diagnose narcolepsy after reviewing the results of your overnight sleep study and ruling out other possible causes of your sleepiness. The most important factor to establish before you decide to visit a sleep specialist is whether you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

The following questionnaire will help you measure your general level of daytime sleepiness. Answers are rated on a reliable scale called the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the same assessment tool used by sleep experts worldwide. This test was developed by Dr. Murray Johns at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne, Australia in 1991.

Each item describes a routine daytime situation. Use the scale to rate the likelihood that you would doze off or fall asleep (in contrast to just feeling tired) during that activity. If you haven’t done some of these things recently, consider how you think they would affect you.

Please note that this scale should not be used to make your own diagnosis. It is intended as a tool to help you identify your own level of daytime sleepiness, which can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or other medical problem.

Sleep is an important health issue; without proper sleep, the human body can not function well. Good sleep helps ward off illnesses, helps maintain healthy skin, bones, and muscles and helps to balance hormones and other important brain and body chemicals.

If your total score is 10 or higher, review this form and the resources that follow with your doctor or other health care provider. Your health depends on it!

Go to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Form.

For more information about sleep and sleep disorders:

Patient Resources:

National Sleep Foundation
1522 K Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington D.C. 20005
www.sleepfoundation.org
(202) 347-3471

American Sleep Apnea Association
1424 K Street NW, Suite 302
Washington, DC 20005
www.sleepapnea.org
(202)293-3650

Narcolepsy Network, Inc.
129 Waterwheel Lane
North Kingstown, RI 02852
www.narcolepsynetwork.org
(401) 667-2523

Restless Leg Foundation
819 Second Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902-2985
www.rls.org
(507) 287-6465

Talk About Sleep, Inc.
www.talkaboutsleep.com

Physician Resources:

American Academy of Sleep Medicine
One Westbrook Corporate Center
Suite 920
Westchester, IL 60154
www.aasmnet.org
(708) 492-0930

American Board of Sleep Medicine
One Westbrook Corporate Center
Suite 920
Westchester, IL 60154
www.absm.org
(708) 492-1290

# # #
Date Created: July 16th, 2008
Last Updated: October 27th, 2011