Insomnia or Oversleeping — When to See a Doctor?

We are all currently in the midst of surviving a pandemic, and yes it has not been an easy road. We’ve all had to pause our social lives and stay grounded in our homes — our safe havens. This has compelled many to work from home and make ends meet. And it is needless to say that this ‘new normal’ style of living has had varied effects on different people. 

While some of us are taking up new activities to look after our mental health, others have been finding it difficult to adjust to this new way of functioning. This has led to people experiencing sleepless nights or long hours of sleep— hinting at widespread sleep disorders. 

What are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders are problems related to sleep. These include trouble falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at the wrong times, too much sleep, and abnormal behavior while sleeping. If you’re wondering, well, how common are these? We did a quick check and studies have shown that chronic insomnia was seen in 33% of a chosen sample of adult population. 

In fact, doctors suggest that any well-functioning adult must get at least 7-9 hours of sleep in order to have a productive day without fatigue. However, in a world where people rarely manage to get enough sleep, one might think that sleeping for long hours is a luxury. Let us tell you otherwise — oversleeping or hypersomnia is a serious sleep disorder that cannot be taken lightly. It may be triggered by a mental health issue, such as depression. 

How to tell insomnia from oversleeping?

Like most disorders, one can look out for telltale signs that point in the direction of sleep disorders. So, if you wish to know whether you have hypersomnia or insomnia, look out for the following signs:

Symptoms of hypersomnia 

• Difficulty waking up or getting out of bed in the morning
• Feeling sluggish and unmotivated throughout the day
• Napping frequently throughout the day
• Excess fatigue
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving or during meals
• Lapses in attention
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty remembering events throughout the day
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritation
• Poor performance in work or school activities

Symptoms of insomnia

• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Constantly waking up at night
• Waking up too early
• Not feeling well-rested after a night's sleep
• Daytime tiredness or sleepiness
• Irritability, depression, or anxiety
• Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks, or remembering
• Increased errors or accidents
• Ongoing worries about sleep

What causes insomnia or oversleeping?

Any medical or mental condition doesn’t usually just appear but is often caused or triggered by something else. Just the way too little exercise can cause back pains, a host of other conditions can cause insomnia and hypersomnia. 

Causes of insomnia 

Stress

Too much worry about school, work, health conditions, finances, or even family can keep you up all night, making it difficult to sleep. Even stressful events or trauma such as a loved one leaving, a divorce, or a loss of job can also cause insomnia

Travel and work schedule

A person’s body functions based on an internal clock that guides them to fall asleep at a particular time, handles metabolism, and even keeps a check on body temperature. When any disturbance is caused to the internal clock through changes in work schedules or even travel, one might experience sleep problems. This could be caused by jet lag, working late shifts, or even frequently changing sleep patterns. 

Poor sleep habits

We’ve often heard our elders rightly tell us to sleep on time and wake up on time. Poor sleep habits are one of the major causes of insomnia. This includes irregular bedtimes, untimely naps, and even just binging content on TV, laptops, or mobile phones till late in the night. 

Eating too much before bedtime

Having a light snack such as a fruit or even some chamomile tea is a good idea before going to sleep. But avoid eating a lot as this might cause physical discomfort while lying down,  leading to heartburns and even gas which may keep you awake till late.

Causes of hypersomnia

It is important to remember that not every person who oversleeps has hypersomnia. If you have overslept for one day, it doesn’t mean that you have hypersomnia either. To identify or understand hypersomnia, one needs to know that these are recurring events and not just a one-time thing. Some possible causes of oversleeping are:

• Use of substances such as alcohol, drugs, or other prescription medications
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Changes in schedule
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Narcolepsy
• Headaches
• Heart diseases

How do I deal with insomnia or oversleeping?

If you or someone you love are experiencing the symptoms that have been listed above, then the first thing you need to do is talk to a doctor. This could be a neuropsychiatrist, a sleep specialist, a psychologist, or a psychotherapist. It is only by getting the right help and the right neuropsychiatric disorder treatment can you beat insomnia or oversleeping. 

It is important for you to be transparent with your doctor and not withhold any information related to changes in habits and patterns. Your doctor will help you identify the underlying cause and help you address both the cause and the condition — and put you on the road to recovery.

Bear in mind that when it comes to sleep, ‘consistency’ is strength. Understand the right amount of sleep you need and schedule your day around it. Make sure you hit the bed on time and wake up on time too.