Hypersomnia: sleeping out of your mind, because you’re trying to avoid something. I suppose when you have insomnia (like me), you almost wish you had hypersomnia. I would love to be able to sleep. Of course, when the depression was high, I had hypersomnia. But, I don’t wish to go back to the depression.
It’s funny how your body can go from one extreme to the other. Even though I have insomnia, I don’t allow myself to take naps during the day. Then my sleep cycle would really be screwed up. I have a friend who gets good sleep quality, only sleeping two hours a night, and he’s good to go. Wish I had that scenario.
Hypersomnia meaning is a condition in which you feel extreme daytime sleepiness despite getting adequate sleep (or more than adequate). If you have hypersomnia, you fall asleep several times during the day.
Types of Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia: sleeping out of your mind. Hypersomnia can be classified into several types, primarily based on its causes and characteristics. Here are the main types:
- Primary Hypersomnia: This includes conditions where excessive sleepiness is the main symptom, not caused by other medical conditions. The most well-known type is Idiopathic Hypersomnia, where the cause is unknown.
- Secondary Hypersomnia: This occurs as a result of other medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, Parkinson’s disease, or depression. Substance abuse can also cause it or certain medications.
- Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. It often includes symptoms like cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.
- Kleine-Levin Syndrome: A rare disorder characterized by recurring periods of excessive sleep, along with cognitive and behavioral changes.
- Recurrent Hypersomnia: This includes conditions like Kleine-Levin Syndrome, where episodes of hypersomnia occur periodically.
Each type has distinct features and may require different approaches for management and treatment.
Hypersomnia Causes
Hypersomnia: sleeping out of your mind, because you can. So, hypersomnia can have various causes, depending on whether it’s primary or secondary. Here are some of the most common ones:
Idiopathic Causes: In some cases, the cause of hypersomnia is unknown, as seen in idiopathic hypersomnia.
Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness.
Medical Conditions: Disorders such as depression, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and obesity can contribute to hypersomnia.
Substance Use: Alcohol, certain medications, and drug abuse can cause excessive sleepiness.
Genetic Factors: Some forms of hypersomnia, like narcolepsy, may have a genetic component.
Brain Injuries: Trauma or injury to the brain can affect sleep regulation and lead to hypersomnia.
Sleep Deprivation: Chronic lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can result in hypersomnia.
Sleep deprivation hits home with me. I went from one extreme to the other, too much sleep to no sleep. How does that happen? I believe it stems from the Parkinson’s. As the symptoms worsen, so does the sleep. Oh well.
I just want to state, I don’t mean my bad moods to come through in these posts, that’s not my intent. I’m trying not to sound like I’m complaining. That also is not my intent. So if that happens, I’ll apologize now.
Hypersomnia Symptoms
Hypersomnia is characterized by several symptoms, primarily related to excessive sleepiness. Here are some common symptoms:
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: A persistent feeling of sleepiness during the day, even after a full night’s sleep.
- Prolonged Nighttime Sleep: Sleeping longer than usual at night, often exceeding 10 hours.
- Difficulty Waking Up: Struggling to wake up in the morning or after naps, often feeling groggy or disoriented.
- Napping: Frequent and often unrefreshing naps during the day.
- Cognitive Impairment: Issues with concentration, memory, and decision-making due to sleepiness.
- Irritability: Increased irritability or mood changes as a result of sleep deprivation.
- Decreased Energy: A general lack of energy and motivation to engage in daily activities.
There are similarities between hypersomnia and insomnia. Decreased energy stands out. I don’t have any energy throughout the day. My irritability level is often high. One of the many reasons why I tend to stay away from everyone.
Hypersomnia Depression
Hypersomnia: sleeping out of your mind, because of depression. When we sleep too much, we’re basically avoiding our problems and emotions. It’s like retreating into a dreamworld where everything feels okay, but nothing really gets solved. This avoidance only keeps the cycle of depression going and can lead to even more challenges down the road.
Let’s face it, when you think of depression, you think about sleeping a whole bunch. You want to escape your conscientious mind into a dreamland mind where everything is peaceful. At least for me, that’s how I felt. So, hypersomnia with depression makes sense. What I didn’t realize back then was that my excessive sleeping was actually a sign of something deeper. It wasn’t just a way to escape reality. It was my body’s way of coping with the overwhelming feelings and emotions that I couldn’t process.
For me, it was sleeping too much. And while it may seem like a relief to sleep for long hours, it actually only made things worse. Instead of feeling refreshed and energized, I would wake up feeling even more tired and lethargic. My mind felt foggy and my body ached, making it difficult to get out of bed and face the day.
But I couldn’t just stop sleeping. It was a vicious cycle – I would sleep because I was depressed, but then oversleeping made me more depressed. And so on.
Sleep Cycle
Hypersomnia: sleeping out of your mind, screwing up your sleep cycle. Sleep cycle is why I don’t take naps during the day. It throws your sleep cycle off. Even if I go through a night of not sleeping, I don’t sleep in the afternoon. Doing it that way helps me fall asleep the next night. Basically, I sleep every other night.
Now I know it’s very taxing physically and emotionally on the body, but I’ve tried (and still trying) different combinations of meds to break this cycle. I won’t give up until I find the right solution to this problem.
Instead of just giving up, I’m more determined to change this chapter in my life. Since I’ve changed my demeanor on how I look at things, I want to face my problems head on and find a cure for whatever is bothering me.
Hypersomnia Treatment
Hypersomnia Medication
Here are 5 meds and their side effects that help with hypersomnia:
- Modafinil (Provigil):
- Common side effects include headache, nausea, nervousness, and trouble sleeping.
- Serious side effects can include allergic reactions, anxiety, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, increased blood pressure, and skin reactions1.
- Amphetamines:
- Short-term effects include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, and loss of appetite.
- Long-term use can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, dental problems, mood swings, anxiety, depression, and increased risk of stroke4.
- Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium/Sodium Oxybates (Xywav):
- Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, headache, and vomiting.
- Serious side effects can include depression, confusion, and sleepwalking8.
- Low-sodium Oxybate:
- Similar to Xywav, it can cause nausea, dizziness, and headache.
- It may also lead to more severe effects like depression and confusion8.
- Armodafinil (Nuvigil):
- Side effects are similar to modafinil, including headache, nausea, dizziness, and insomnia.
- It may also cause serious skin reactions and psychiatric symptoms
Sleep Therapy
Hypersomnia: sleeping out of your mind to avoid your emotions. Sleep therapy for hypersomnia involves a combination of behavioral changes, lifestyle adjustments, and sometimes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to manage symptoms and improve sleep quality. Here are some key aspects:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps individuals recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that affect sleep. It aims to improve sleep quality and reduce thoughts that interfere with normal sleep patterns.
- Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes: These include maintaining a regular sleep schedule, improving sleep hygiene, and making dietary adjustments. Regular exercise and avoiding caffeine and alcohol can also help manage symptoms.
Hypersomnia Treatment at Home
1. Morning Sunlight Exposure
Your internal clock, or circadian rhythm, relies heavily on exposure to natural light. Spending 15–20 minutes outdoors within an hour of waking up can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Morning sunlight signals your brain to suppress melatonin, the sleep hormone, making you feel more awake during the day.
Practical tip: Create a ritual of morning stretches or yoga outside. Even sitting by a sunny window with your coffee can do the trick. On dreary days, consider investing in a light therapy box to mimic natural sunlight.
Benefits: With consistent exposure, you’ll begin to feel more awake during the day and start building a healthier sleep routine.
2. Ashwagandha Supplements
This herbal adaptogen, commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, has been shown to support energy levels and reduce fatigue. Ashwagandha may help balance your body’s stress response, which plays a role in excessive sleepiness. Look for it in capsule or powder form, and consult your doctor about usage, especially if you’re on any medications.
Practical tip: Add ashwagandha powder to your morning smoothie, or take a supplement with breakfast for sustained energy.
Considerations: Though generally safe, it can occasionally cause mild digestive upset. It’s best to start with a small dose and observe how your body reacts.
3. Aromatherapy with Peppermint and Citrus Oils
Essential oils like peppermint, orange, and lemon are invigorating scents that can give you an instant energy boost. These oils stimulate your senses and encourage alertness, especially during midafternoon slumps.
Practical tip: Diffuse peppermint or citrus oils in your workspace, or simply inhale directly from the bottle. You can also apply a blend to your wrists or temples for an on-the-go pick-me-up.
Benefits: Aromatherapy is a safe, low-commitment way to shake off grogginess without resorting to caffeine.
4. Caffeine Timing & Alternatives
Hypersomnia: sleeping out of your mind. While caffeine is a common go-to for battling sleepiness, overuse can backfire, disrupting your sleep pattern and compounding hypersomnia. Instead of endless cups of coffee, try yerba mate or matcha tea. They contain lower levels of caffeine, along with compounds that promote focus and calm.
Practical tip: Replace your afternoon coffee with matcha tea, which provides a gentler energy boost and avoids the jittery crash. Keep your caffeine intake to mornings only to keep your sleep regulated.
Benefits: Properly timed caffeine alternatives can provide sustained energy without interfering with nighttime rest.
5. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Hypersomnia often pairs with difficulty feeling rested, even with long hours of sleep. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) helps your body recover by systematically tensing and relaxing muscle groups, promoting deeper relaxation and stress reduction.
Practical tip: Perform PMR before bed or as a midday reset. Begin at your feet, tense your muscles for five seconds, then relax. Gradually work your way up your body.
Benefits: Studies suggest PMR can improve the quality of your sleep, leaving you feeling more refreshed when you wake.
6. Nutrient-Rich ‘Wakefulness’ Foods
Certain foods can enhance alertness naturally. Magnesium-rich options like spinach and pumpkin seeds support better-quality sleep, while protein-rich snacks and B-vitamin-packed foods like eggs, bananas, and nuts provide steady energy.
Practical tip: Start your day with a high-protein breakfast, like scrambled eggs with spinach, and keep snacks like almonds or trail mix handy.
Benefits: Foods that stabilize your blood sugar can reduce daytime lethargy, giving you more sustained energy throughout the day.
Dealing with Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia: sleeping out of your mind to avoid dealing with depression. You have to not want to sleep so much when dealing with hypersomnia. If you can’t get over that aspect, you’re doomed. Your life is just going to repeat itself over and over, with not gaining any ground in getting over what ails you emotionally.
Sleeping too much is a mechanism to avoid your problems, but you’re actually making things worse. The longer you don’t deal with them, the worse they become. So, get out of bed right now, and start living your life like you were meant to.
God didn’t put you on this earth to just sleep, even though that’s the only thing you feel like doing. Trust me, once you start getting a regular sleep cycle, everything else will fall into place. And that’s coming from someone dealing with insomnia.
Sum It All Up
Sum it all up, huh! Well, hypersomnia is sleeping too much to avoid your life. It only makes it worse, because you’re not dealing with the problem at hand. I have the opposite of hypersomnia (insomnia), but I’m not running away from it. I want to find a solution.
I’m still hanging in there, because I believe there is a solution out there. I just haven’t found it yet! I may complain here and there, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up. So, what I’m trying to say is you’re not going to get anywhere sleeping your days away. It may seem like that is the solution, but in the long run, you loose.
So, get your ass out of bed and start living your life like you were meant to! Peace and always love. Until next time…
Articles About Hypersomnia
What Is the Difference Between Type 1 Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia?
14 Reasons Why You’re Always Tired, and What You Can Do About It Right Now
How Much Sleep Is Too Much Sleep? What to Know About Oversleeping
Have a Good One,
Cindee Murphy
“One Voice Dealing With Insomnia”
“By helping us keep the world in perspective, sleep gives us a chance to refocus on the essence of who we are. And in that place of connection, it is easier for the fears and concerns of the world to drop away.” – Arianna Huffington
“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.” – E. Joseph Cossman
“May sleep envelop you as a bed sheet floating gently down, tickling your skin and removing every worry.” – Jeb Dickerson
“Don’t fight with the pillow, but lay down your head, and kick every worriment out of the bed.” – Edmund Vance Cooke
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