Wellington Sleep Clinic:
Sleep Medicine & Sleep Specialist Options For Sleep Disorder Treatment
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If you're living in Wellington New Zealand and are having problems with disturbed sleep, poor sleep quality or you're generally waking up feeling unrefreshed then you might be wondering which sleep clinic in Wellington is your best option, and what options you have available in the Capital for sleep disorder treatment in general.
We've broken down your options here and what you need to know when deciding.
Why?
Well, in looking to improve your sleep it can be confusing to know who are the best sleep specialists for your problems.
Or it can simply be difficult to find the best sleep physician or sleep psychologist with the experience, knowledge or special training in sleep medicine to give useful treatment.
Here’s what you need to know (& please note that this guide is not exhaustive as some clinics/practitioners have asked not to be included here).
Are All Sleep Medicine Specialists The Same?
No. First, it's important to understand that there are over 80+ sleep disorders.
We sometimes say that the (overly) simple way to think of sleep disorders is that they run on a continuum of problems, ranging from those that are super sleepy (i.e. they can't stay awake) through to those that are super alert (i.e. they can't get to sleep). And there are a bunch of disorders that can be on or off the continuum as they involve unusual sleep-related behaviours that may or may not disrupt sleep (known as parasomnias).
With such a wide range of sleep disorders you will find some disorders are better treated by certain types of specialists than others.
This is an important point because if you go to the wrong sleep consultant, they may not provide the comprehensive assessment and treatment services that you need.
Sometimes the treatment provider lacks enough knowledge themselves to realise they are doing a less than good job.
Hint: always read google reviews, they are enlightening and may save you a waste of time and money.
Who Do I See For Trouble Falling Asleep, Staying Asleep, Waking Early?
Insomnia is a disorder characterised by trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking early.
The recommended first line treatment for short-term and chronic insomnia disorder (CID) is cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (also known as CBTi or CBT-i).
Sleep medications, also known as sleeping pills, are the recommended second line treatment and only indicated for short term usage.
Many people are surprised to find that CID is best diagnosed and treated by a sleep psychologist, also known as a behavioural sleep medicine specialist. This is because the recommended CBTi was designed by psychologists and generally requires the skills of a psychologist or a psychiatrist to deliver as a comprehensive treatment.
That means most medical practitioners, including some sleep doctors or sleep physicians often lack the right skills and training to deliver this kind of treatment.
As we are psychologists, so the above no doubt sounds self-serving. So here's the passage from the text book on sleep for GPs, Primary Care Sleep Medicine: A Practical Guide.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
To get the best results, you should expect that those that offer CID treatment will provide comprehensive assessment and treatment. Full and effective multi-component CBTi treatment includes:
a comprehensive 60-90min assessment via clinical interview (CID does not require sleep studies or HSATs);
a minimum of 7 days of sleep logs (many competent and clinically experienced treatment providers will not provide treatment without sleep logs);
assessment would ideally screen for mental health conditions (as many CID sufferers have co-occurring mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD) and physical health conditions.
a session by session format, often numbering around 5-8 sessions (scientific studies have identified 5+ sessions as being the most effective "dose" of sessions for standalone insomnia).
Is CBTi The Same As Sleep Hygiene?
CBTi treatment is not the same as sleep hygiene instructions.
Sleep hygiene is not an effective standalone treatment for CID.
You can assess your sleep hygiene here.
Insomnia Treatment Wellington
Treatment service options include:
There are in-person options available in Wellington, we suggest googling to find out;
The Better Sleep Clinic - online service providing specialist insomnia consults New Zealand wide by Zoom with full 90min assessment, sleep logs + full close support session by session CBTi treatment
If you prefer local services face-to-face then your options in the Capital may be relatively limited but a good google search will help.
If you try another provider and don't get results, don't despair. It may be simply that the treatment is too brief (always check google reviews to see what people say about treatment).
Our insomnia service is generally very different. We can provide you a comprehensive treatment service that follows best-practice guidelines for CBT-i treatment online via Zoom sessions (again: check out our google reviews).
Who Do I See For Snoring & Respiratory (Breathing) Problems?
Snoring and sleep related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, OSA (also spelt obstructive sleep apnoea)often come with daytime sleepiness (not always though).
These conditions are best diagnosed and treated by sleep and respiratory physicians, and sometimes by Ear Nose Throat surgeon, also known as ENT physicians (e.g. deviated septum causing snorting or you need surgery for your problem). They may be supported by sleep technologists or sleep physiologists.
Typically health professionals at the sleep centres that treat these conditions will have accredited training in respiratory medicine and provide testing services and treatment that may include:
home sleep test (HSAT) to diagnose your condition (a level 2 HSAT is basically in home polysomnography whereas a level 3 HSAT is a more limited study);
overnight level 1 sleep studies in a lab with polysomnography (not commonly required but are the gold standard for diagnosing OSA and required for diagnosis of some other sleep conditions);
treatment options for your condition which may include, but are not limited to, continuous positive airway pressure (cpap machine) therapy, alternatives to cpap therapy such as surgery, epap therapy, and oral appliances (e.g. mandibular advancement device).
ongoing monitoring of your treatment to ensure your symptoms are under control.
Therapy for snoring is not typically required as snoring is not dangerous if you do not have OSA, but most sleep doctors can provide treatment to eliminate snoring if you are being forced to make a choice between your partner or treatment.
Note that 30% of OSA sufferers will have co-occurring insomnia. In these situations, research suggests insomnia treatment should come first.
Sleep Clinics & Sleep Health Providers In Wellington For Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Testing and treatment services options include:
Wellsleep Centre at Bowen Hospital in Wellington (affiliated with University of Otago) - diagnosis via full level 1 polysomnographic sleep study, level 2 HSAT and level 3 HSAT
Edensleep Clinic - offers level 3 & 4 HSAT
Who Do I See For Parasomnias RLS, Circadian Rhythm Disorders, And Other Sleep Problems?
Adults suffering from parasomnias and sleep conditions such as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders (CRSDs), are usually considered to be best treated by medications or devices (e.g. bright light for circadian rhythm problems).
That would mean treatment by a mixture of sleep medicine doctors and sleep psychiatrists. However, often these conditions have components of insomnia (especially RLS and CRSDs) which respond to a behaviour treatment with a sleep psychologist.
Likewise, CBTi and support from a psychologist is emerging as an important treatment option across the sleep conditions including those traditionally seen as purely medically treated (e.g. narcolepsy, parasomnias). This is because CBTi deepens sleep and improves sleep quality across the various sleep complaints, and sleep-related problems are difficult and present mental health and wellbeing challenges for sufferers. Sleep psychologists also offer this support.
Other Sleep Disorders & Sleep Treatment Services For Those In Wellington
Assessment, diagnosis and treatment options include:
Wellsleep - can offer medications and diagnosis of the conditions that are only diagnosed by polysomnography as well as treatment;
The Better Sleep Clinic - online session by session close support treatment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Insomnia (CBTi) & Wellbeing In Wellington, NZ
Sleep psychologists from the Better Sleep Clinic are available by appointment for online consultation throughout NZ. No referral required. We’ve outlined what we offer in terms of sleep disorders treatments services on our Auckland sleep clinic page. There are also Christchurch sleep clinic options available if you are looking further afield.
We are the leading sleep clinic in New Zealand for insomnia (check out our 5 star reviews), and the only providers of multi-component CBTi throughout NZ.
Request a free 15min consult below or simply book an appointment through our online portal to get started.