Definition:
Hypersomnia refers to a set of related disorders characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. Certain factors must be ruled out for a diagnosis to be made, including excessive use of stimulants such as caffeine, shift work, and insomnia. People with hypersomnia are not lacking in night-time sleep. Also, hypersomnia is not the same as narcolepsy, where a person suddenly falls asleep and the sleep is refreshing. People with hypersomnia feel sleepy most of the time, and sleep is not refreshing.
Although hypersomnia can be a diagnosis in and of itself, it may also be a symptom of both unipolar and bipolar depression.
Hypersomnia refers to a set of related disorders characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. Certain factors must be ruled out for a diagnosis to be made, including excessive use of stimulants such as caffeine, shift work, and insomnia. People with hypersomnia are not lacking in night-time sleep. Also, hypersomnia is not the same as narcolepsy, where a person suddenly falls asleep and the sleep is refreshing. People with hypersomnia feel sleepy most of the time, and sleep is not refreshing.
Although hypersomnia can be a diagnosis in and of itself, it may also be a symptom of both unipolar and bipolar depression.
Pronunciation: HIGH-per-SOM-nee-uh
