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Just like insomnia, oversleeping and excessive sleepiness during the day may stem from a variety of medical conditions – besides, when you cannot sleep, you are deprived of one of the key components of physical fitness and mental wellness which can lead to a host of health complications in the long run.
In this article we will answer the question “What is hypersomnia depression?”, see how this condition is linked to depression, and figure out how to combat both disorders at once.
What is Hypersomnia?
Hypersomnia refers to a serious medical condition that causes excessive sleepiness throughout the day. Even if the person is doing their best to follow a strict sleep schedule and gets enough sleep during the night, they may still suffer from hypersomnia – moreover, it is impossible for them to compensate for these random urges to sleep with longer hours of sleep at night.
While having a nap from time to time or feeling extremely tired after a long day of work is natural for any individual, hypersomnia is a much more complicated issue. If you have it, you cannot keep your sleepiness in check, and you may have to take several naps a day just to be able to continue with your obligations. Ultimately, sleep disturbances of this kind – especially if you are going through a stressful time – can even cause depression.
Causes of Hypersomnia
When it comes to hypersomnia causes, experts are divided. It is possible to pinpoint the factors if hypersomnia is secondary which means it is a symptom of a particular condition, habit, or problem. Primary hypersomnia is still being studied – research points to defects in neurotransmission, genetic differences, and immune system disorders. Here are just a few causes that may lead to secondary hypersomnia:
| Cause | Description |
| Substance Use and Abuse | This includes excessive use of alcohol and drugs you take for enjoyment – they can severely disrupt your sleep patterns |
| Adverse Effects of Prescription Medication | Even though antipsychotics and sedatives are supposed to help you manage your symptoms, sometimes there is an unfortunate side effect of excessive sleepiness |
| Damage to the Brain or Head | If you had a brain injury or head injury, it increases the likelihood of hypersomnia |
| Mental Illnesses | An individual who was diagnosed with depression often struggles to stay awake during the day or avoid naps |
| Sleep Deprivation | If you have not been able to rest enough, sleep for eight hours, or stay asleep without anyone bothering you, it will be detrimental to the quality of your sleep and lead to hypersomnia |
Symptoms of Hypersomnia and Depression
What is hypersomnia depression and how to spot it? There are certain signs you should be on the lookout for before managing and treating this condition:
- You are constantly anxious and irritated.
- You feel the urge to sleep during the day more than once.
- Your energy levels are low, and your own efforts to replenish your energy have not been successful.
- Your mood fluctuates for no apparent reason – from excitement to anger.
- You struggle to wake up after a long night of sleep or a nap.
- Your memory started to fail you – cognitive decline is a common manifestation of either disorder.
- You cannot focus on your work and studies as well as actively participate in a conversation.
- Your sleep issues start affecting the way you eat, and you may even lose your appetite completely.
How Hypersomnia Affects Mental Health
Longer sleep does not let you lead a fulfilling life you want to have – whether you are missing out on professional opportunities due to being tired, saying no to social gatherings, or disliking what you see in the mirror since lack of sleep will affect the way you look, all this will take a toll on your psyche. It is essential to address hypersomnia since it hampers the person’s emotional well-being in such a severe way – lack of quality sleep will turn your whole life upside down.
Diagnosing Hypersomnia in Depressed Individuals
A therapist will assess the patient’s current symptoms and medical history to be able to diagnose them with hypersomnia but this is a condition that requires additional analysis of habits and patterns. It is recommended to prepare a sleep diary by observing your sleep disturbances for a few weeks whether you are already in therapy or just planning to talk to a mental health specialist. After that, they may tell you to undergo a particular sleep study to confirm your diagnosis.
Treatment Options for Hypersomnia and Depression
There are ways to deal with a sleep disorder while also addressing a mood disorder that significantly lowers the person’s quality of life – take a look at the methods to lessen the symptoms of depression and hypersomnia:
| Therapeutic Approach | Description |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | While there are different conventional and alternative therapy modalities you can try to battle depressive disorder and excessive sleepiness, CBT has been utilized by mental health specialists to challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with positive affirmations to put an end to patients’ anxiety and depression |
| Medication Management | A psychiatrist will need to evaluate the patient’s physical fitness and mental health before picking the right prescription drugs to target the manifestations of depression and hypersomnia simultaneously. A while ago, Xywav has been approved as an effective medicine against the symptoms of hypersomnia in adult patients |
| Group Therapy | Whether your hypersomnia has been the result of depression, injury, addiction, cumulative stress, or health conditions that affect your central nervous system, locating and securing a solid support network can be a great relief |
| Holistic Mindfulness | There are numerous mindfulness practices you can learn under the guidance of a mental health professional and implement on your own to handle deep-seated emotional issues and sleep better at night – strengthen the connection between your mind and body by doing yoga and breathing exercises or meditating |
Living With Hypersomnia and Depression
Apart from letting a mental health professional guide you towards optimal health, there are things you can take care of on your own as you manage the symptoms of depression and hypersomnia. Add healthy foods to your diet, take stairs instead of the elevator, spend more time outside and surrounded by nature, and make an effort to socialize more – all these mindful habits can be a great outlet for you to release stress and influence your mental health especially when they are combined with therapy and medication.
Ready to Make a Change? Contact Pacific Coast Mental Health Today
It is possible to ease the manifestations of hypersomnia and leave depression in the past if you are ready to enlist the help of qualified therapists who know the right response to the “What is hypersomnia depression?” question and work with patients diagnosed with both conditions. Reach out to Pacific Coast Mental Health – together we can set the foundation for your overall health in a comforting and judgment-free environment and navigate your mental health journey with clarity and confidence.
FAQs
What is the connection between hypersomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness in depressive disorders?
A depressive disorder is often diagnosed when an individual has a broken sleep schedule or is constantly tired despite having enough sleep – the link between depression and hypersomnia has been confirmed by numerous studies. Sometimes, it is a conscious decision of the person to stay asleep and avoid confronting reality that causes them emotional pain, and occasionally hypersomnia is a side effect of prescription medication meant to sedate the patient.
How does fatigue from sleep disorders impact mental health and mood disorders?
When you are tired, you cannot carry out your job obligations the way you have been used to, your family and friends are discontent with your apathy, and you feel constantly bad about yourself whether you are unhappy about your personal attributes, appearance, or work performance. All this can transform into anxiety disorder or depression especially if fatigue is ignored for a long time.
What role do sleep apnea and narcolepsy play in hypersomnia and depressive disorders?
Sleep apnea is often diagnosed before hypersomnia – it can trigger the development of excessive sleepiness if the person is not able to have quality sleep during night time. Narcolepsy might also cause hypersomnia yet it is a more serious condition due to sleep the individual cannot control. All these sleep disorders result in the emotional turmoil of the person, physical and mental fatigue, and severe anxiety all of which are the warning signs of depression.
Can hypersomnia be a symptom of underlying mental health issues or other sleep disorders?
As a neurological disorder, hypersomnia can be the only problem the individual is forced to deal with. Still, people with this condition are advised to speak to a therapist to identify underlying mental health issues as well as inform their neurologist or somnologist about additional struggles they have.
How does managing sleep disorders like sleep apnea or narcolepsy improve symptoms of hypersomnia and depression?
Your physical and mental health are interconnected – if you are able to get rid of a specific problem, it will ease your burden in other areas of your life. In case you deal with your breathing problems and snoring, you can restore your sleep schedule and alleviate the symptoms of hypersomnia which in turn can make you more resilient and confident in the face of depression.
