The Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The following questions will help you measure your general level of daytime sleepiness. You are to rate the chance that you would doze off or fall asleep during different routine daytime situations. Answers to the questions are rated on a reliable scale called the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Each item is rated from 0 to 3, with 0 meaning you would never doze or fall asleep in a given situation, and 3 meaning there is a very high chance that you would doze or fall asleep in that situation.
How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations, in contrast to just feeling tired? Even if you haven’t done some of the activities recently, think about how they would have affected you.
Use this scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation:
0 = Would never doze
1 = Slight chance of dozing
2 = Moderate chance of dozing
3 = High chance of dozing
| SITUATION |
CHANCE OF DOZING |
| Sitting and reading |
|
| Watching TV |
|
| Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g. a theater or a meeting) |
|
| As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break |
|
| Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit |
|
| Sitting and talking to someone |
|
| Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol |
|
| In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic |
|
TOTAL SCORE _________
If you scored a nine or above on the scale, talk with your doctor about Sleep Center referral.
If you feel as though you may have a sleep disorder, please share any symptoms or concerns with your primary care provider. For more information about the Sleep Center, call 229-312-1220.