Simply put, hyper means excessive and somnia refers to sleep, so hypersomnia is excessively long or deep sleep. Other symptoms include:
- A gradually onset.
- You can feel the sleepiness coming on.
- It usually starts in the early twenties.
- It has been happening for at least three months.
If you think you are suffering from hypersomnia, ask your doctor about having a sleep study. This will eliminate other disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy. This continual need for sleep will eventually cause a lot of distress and interfere with all areas of your life, from work to home life.
The hyperomniac may sleep up to twelve hours a night, and still need frequent daytime naps. If you are diagnosed as a victim of recurrent hypersomnia, this is also called Kleine-Levin Syndrome. This syndrome usually affects males more than females and begins some time in the teens.
Idiopathic hypersomnia is much like narcolepsy, except there is no cataplexy, no sleep paralysis, and no rapid eye movement when the victim first falls asleep.
Hypersomnia is one of the symptoms of major depression. In fact, people who are suffering from clinical depression may suffer from either insomnia (inability to fall asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep) nearly every day. Bi-polar patients may also experience hypersomnia during depressive periods.
The cause of hypersomnia is unknown and may vary from victim to victim. Treatment, therefore, consists of changes in behavior, practicing good sleep hygiene and the use of stimulants. Don't nap during the day if you can avoid it. Also avoid things that may interfere with sleep patterns, like alcohol, caffeine near bed time and shift work.
Talk to your doctor. He may be able to prescribe stimulants, a sleep study or other methods of treatment.
