Poor sleep can cause fatigue, poor concentration and irritability; low mood or anxiety can then make sleep more difficult, creating a cycle. However, blaming everything on sleep may overlook anaemia, thyroid disease, nutritional problems, chronic pain, sleep apnoea or medication effects.
A two-week record of sleep, daytime energy, mood, menstrual flow, diet, caffeine and activity can help both medical and TCM assessment. TCM considers the overall pattern, but blood tests, sleep assessment or mental-health evaluation may still be necessary.
Seek professional help promptly when low mood lasts more than two weeks, daily function declines, sleepiness creates danger while driving or working, or thoughts of self-harm occur. A coordinated approach is often more useful than treating one symptom in isolation.
Prioritise the issue most affecting safety and function, such as driving sleepiness, inability to work, persistent low mood or anaemia. Any area that continues to worsen needs separate assessment.
