Story Content

Many of you have heard about insomnia which is poor which is an inability to fall asleep. But what about those people who sleep more than the required hours in the daytime? Are they also suffering from some problem?

People having more than 11 hours sleep during the day are also suffering from a problem, known as Hypersomnia

What is Hypersomnia?

Hypersomnia is excessive sleepiness typically more than 11 hours during the day. Even after too much sleep, people still feel unrefreshed on waking and feel like sleeping at any point in the day like during meals or at work. 

People with this disorder are called idiopathic hypersomnia and this type of sleep behavior often has a negative effect on social, family, or work life. These are generally observed in adolescence and early adulthood and require lifelong management. 

Types of Hypersomnia

Hypersomnia can be either primary or secondary and are summarized as follows:

Complications occur due to Hypersomnia

Does Depression cause Hypersomnia?

Symptoms like difficulty sleeping or oversleeping are commonly seen in people with depression. Depression is a mood disorder that causes both physical as well as and emotional disorders. 

Hypersomnia is most commonly seen in people having depression. However, the relationship between the two conditions is complex, and it is unclear which one causes the other. However, sleep problems like poor sleep can aggravate depression, leading to a negative cycle between sleep. 

Treatment of Hypersomnia 

Many treatment options are available which can vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and type of hypersomnia. A person’s treatment plan could include behavioral therapy, medication, or both, and lifestyle changes like exercise, to avoid nighttime work, etc. 

• Behavioral therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps to improve sleep quality and quantity, and also helps to reduce thoughts that interfere with normal sleep patterns.
• Medications: People with primary hypersomnia often use stimulants like amphetamine (Evekeo) or methylphenidate (Ritalin) and non-stimulants such as modafinil (Provigil). The other medication includes anti-depressants. 
• Exercise: According to the research, exercise also helps to reduce hypersomnia among these people. According to the research, exercise helps to reduce BDNF, a chemical that is overproduced and contributes to hypersomnia in people with depression. 

Summary

Feeling tired or napping during the day occasionally is not always a cause for concern. However, those who experience excessive sleepiness regularly should consult the doctor. Hypersomnia causes excessive sleepiness in the daytime, which affects the quality or quantity of the person’s sleep.

People with hypersomnia may require behavioral therapy, medications, and exercise to help improve their sleep pattern and can lead normal life also.