“All I Want To Do Is Sleep”: Exploring Sleepiness, Sleep Disorders, And Mental Health
Like food and water, sleep is critical to our survival. We need it to flush toxins from our nervous system, repair cellular damage from everyday wear-and-tear on our bodies, and regulate our emotions. When we don’t get enough quality sleep, it can significantly impact our overall health.
So what does it mean when someone gets plenty of sleep at night but still feels like all they want to do is sleep during the day, too? While most people experience a bit of daytime sleepiness at some point, persistent sleepiness that interferes with judgment and daily functioning may indicate a more serious issue. Read on to explore the potential reasons why someone might experience excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), how to handle it, and how to cultivate healthier sleep patterns.
“All I want to do is sleep”: What is excessive daytime sleepiness?
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), also called hypersomnia, is when one regularly feels extreme or overwhelming sleepiness during the day—regardless of how much one has already slept. In some cases, its cause is unexplained (called idiopathic hypersomnia). In others, a medical professional may be able to identify an underlying cause.
There are two types of hypersomnia:
- Primary hypersomnia arises independently, without another condition causing it. Idiopathic hypersomnia, Kleine-Levin syndrome, and narcolepsy are the three types of primary hypersomnia.
- Secondary hypersomnia is caused by another condition or environmental issue, such as a sleep disorder or a mental health condition.
Sleep disorders and medical conditions that may contribute to EDS
Sometimes, EDS results from other conditions that disrupt the sleep cycle, such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or insomnia. Underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, and chronic pain can cause it, too.
Because of the bidirectional relationship between sleep and immune regulation (called sleep-immune crosstalk), researchers are exploring a possible connection between hypersomnia and an underlying imbalance in immune signaling caused by chronic inflammation or autoimmune disorders. Such disorders can interfere with the deep sleep the body needs to refresh and store energy.
Mental health conditions and excessive daytime sleepiness
Depression and hypersomnia
Depression is one of the mental health conditions most commonly associated with excessive sleepiness. According to research, approximately 25% of people with major depressive disorder exhibit hypersomnia as a symptom. Sleep disturbances, including excessive sleep, can worsen depressive symptoms, creating a cycle where oversleeping leads to lower energy levels, reduced motivation, and withdrawal from daily life.
Anxiety and sleep disruptions
Anxiety disorders are typically linked to insomnia, which can lead to poor sleep quality and cause chronic fatigue. Or, some individuals with anxiety may experience excessive sleepiness due to emotional exhaustion from constant worry and stress. Chronic anxiety can also increase the body’s production of the hormones cortisol and testosterone, which can interrupt a person’s natural sleep-wake cycle. This effect may make it harder to feel refreshed—even after long periods of sleep.
Bipolar disorder and sleep dysregulation
The extreme highs and lows of bipolar disorder can also cause significant sleep dysregulation. During periods of mania, people with bipolar disorder often experience insomnia. During depressive periods, hypersomnia is common. Research also suggests that hypersomnia is more common in people with bipolar disorder than those with unipolar depression. Sleep irregularities in bipolar disorder can further destabilize mood and increase the risk of relapse into manic or depressive states.
Too much sleep and emotional regulation
Excessive, prolonged sleep can disrupt brain activity and hormonal functioning, negatively impacting emotional regulation. As a result, individuals with EDS might experience increased irritability and mood swings. Too much sleep can also disrupt the function of the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, both of which play a role in emotional control and decision-making.
Lifestyle and environmental factors that may contribute to excessive sleepiness symptoms
For some, EDS isn't caused by a medical issue but is linked to external factors. For example, insufficient sleep, shift work, and jet lag can lead to excessive sleepiness. Lifestyle factors like eating patterns and exercise can impact sleep too, as can the use of alcohol, drugs, and some types of over-the-counter and prescription medication. Environmental factors like noise, light, pollution, traffic, and other environmental disorders can play a role in sleep quality as well.
Excessive daytime sleepiness from burnout
EDS is also linked to burnout syndrome, a condition experienced by some individuals working or living in physically and mentally demanding circumstances. Individuals with burnout syndrome might experience extreme sleepiness as the body tries to recuperate from extreme mental and physical fatigue. People experiencing burnout might also sleep excessively as a means of “escape” from chronic stress and overwhelm.
What can you do about excessive sleepiness?
Determining if you have EDS and identifying the cause is generally foundational to coping with it. EDS is not the same as feeling sleepy during the day sometimes; it's typically more severe, and people who have it often have trouble functioning during the day, regardless of how much sleep they've gotten. Some people experiencing such symptoms find it helpful to track them by keeping a daily sleep journal to try and isolate the cause.
Improving sleep hygiene
To combat excessive sleepiness, you might try establishing a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same times every day. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet to create a sleep-friendly environment. Consider also establishing a calming bedtime routine with activities like reading, listening to relaxing music, or taking a warm bath before bed.
Lifestyle adjustments for EDS
In addition to changing your sleeping habits, it can be helpful to cultivate nutrient-dense eating patterns, stay hydrated, and incorporate regular exercise into your routine. It’s also recommended that you limit caffeine intake later in the day, since caffeine too close to bedtime can interfere with your ability to fall asleep—as can alcohol and heavy meals close to bedtime. Experts also advise getting plenty of natural sunlight exposure, if possible, to regulate your circadian rhythm, and to manage stress with relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing.
When to seek professional help
You might consider seeing your doctor or a sleep medicine specialist if you are:
- Frequently feeling tired throughout the day—even after getting enough sleep
- Having trouble focusing during the day due to fatigue
- Experiencing significant negative impacts on your daily activities, like work
- At risk of dangerous situations due to your sleepiness (such as feeling drowsy while driving)
Particularly if you unintentionally doze off while driving, watching TV, or during conversations and/or experience memory problems, mood swings, and frequent headaches, it can be important to seek professional help.
During a medical consultation, your provider will usually ask detailed questions about your sleep schedule, bedtime routine, and other factors. They may do a physical examination to check for underlying medical conditions and perhaps recommend a sleep study.
Therapy to address symptoms of sleep disorders and mental health conditions
Excessive daytime sleepiness can be difficult to cope with. It can hinder your productivity and relationships, and it can be physically and mentally uncomfortable when you are “supposed” to be awake but your body wants to sleep. If you think you may be experiencing hypersomnia or another medical symptom or condition, it’s recommended that you meet with your healthcare provider. If you think EDS may be associated with stress or emotional difficulties, your treatment may include speaking with a mental health professional.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an example of a talk therapy modality that can be an effective treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness. This may be particularly true when EDS stems from underlying sleep disorders like insomnia, which is common in people with mental health conditions. CBT for sleep issues, like CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), focuses on teaching healthy sleeping habits and equipping the client to shift negative thoughts and beliefs related to sleep that may exacerbate daytime sleepiness.
Exploring the option of online therapy when you’re feeling like “All I want to do is sleep”
Despite its potential effectiveness, some people experiencing EDS or other sleep challenges like insomnia don’t seek help from a therapist. It isn't always easy to find a therapist specializing in CBT-I, and if there are specialists in a person’s area, scheduling constraints might make it challenging for them to attend in-office appointments.
Online therapy can be a convenient solution to such barriers. With online therapy, a person can connect with a therapist from a broader pool of mental health professionals with varying backgrounds and areas of expertise. Clients can attend remote sessions with a licensed therapist from the comfort of home on a schedule that fits their needs.
Plus, research suggests that online CBT-I can often be as effective as in-person CBT-I. For example, one randomized controlled trial surveyed fifty-three participants with sleep impairments. Its findings suggest “significant improvements in subjective as well as objective sleep measures after the administration of a six-week internet-based CBT-I program” for insomnia treatment.
Takeaway
What does psychology say about sleeping a lot?
Sleeping more than seven to nine hours a night is a sign of several underlying conditions and challenges, including chronic stress, depression, low mood, physical conditions, a poor immune system, and relationship conflict. Sleeping for long periods can also lead to common symptoms of mental distress, such as low motivation, reduced physical activity, difficulty paying attention, drowsiness, a tendency to avoid activities one used to enjoy, social withdrawal, and other symptoms. If you frequently stay asleep longer than recommended for adults, talk to a doctor or therapist to identify the underlying cause and receive the proper diagnosis, as extreme tiredness is a symptom of many mental and physical conditions that can require different treatment options.
Is it normal to want to stay in bed all day?
Occasionally having the desire to rest in bed can be normal. However, if you have wanted to spend all day in bed multiple times in the week or most days, you might be living with a mental health condition or physical illness causing extreme exhaustion or low motivation. Depression is a frequent cause of this symptom, often causing people to spend hours in bed after they wake up or throughout the day. However, there are multiple possible causes of this symptom, so seek professional support to learn the cause and develop a treatment plan to treat these symptoms.
What are the seven symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?
The seven symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) include the following:
- Severe fatigue
- Cognitive difficulties
- Sleep disturbances
- Muscle and joint pain
- Orthostatic intolerance
- Sore throat
- Lymphatic swelling
CFS is often linked to other medical conditions, such as POTS, heart disease, and genetic conditions. If you think it makes sense for you to receive this diagnosis, reach out to your doctor. They can provide diagnostic testing and look into the cause of your exhaustion.
What deficiency causes too much sleep?
Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can cause fatigue, which might lead to too much sleep. For example, the following are often involved in the sleep-wake process:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Protein
- Potassium
What is it called when you have no motivation to do anything?
If you lack motivation, you might be experiencing apathy, a symptom that involves a lack of emotion or motivation. Apathy is a common symptom of depressive disorders, which frequently leads to difficulty completing tasks and getting out of bed. If you have no motivation for over two weeks paired with symptoms like sadness, numbness, or irritability, consider reaching out to a doctor or mental health professional for a screening.
Am I mentally ill or just lazy?
Some debate exists over whether laziness is a real personality trait or a judgmental label put on people who struggle with the tasks other people may excel in. Mental illness is a common cause of difficulty getting motivated or starting one’s day. It may signify a more profound challenge if you are struggling with a symptom. Talk to a therapist to learn more about the difference between laziness and mental health challenges.
What mental illness makes you want to sleep all the time?
Sleeping frequently is a common symptom of depressive disorders and mood disorders that involve depression, such as bipolar disorder. You can also become tired more frequently if living with chronic stress or relationship challenges. Traumatic events and grief also frequently cause sleepiness.
Am I depressed if all I want to do is sleep?
You might be depressed if you sleep all the time and don’t want to do anything else. However, look at whether this symptom accompanies other symptoms of depression, such as prolonged sadness, apathy, irritability, difficulty finding pleasure, difficulty with self-care, and a lack of concentration. If you’re only experiencing fatigue but no other symptoms of depression, another factor may be at play.
Is sleeping a coping mechanism for depression?
Sleeping is a common maladaptive coping mechanism for depression, as it allows someone to avoid responsibilities and stressful thoughts for a moment. In addition, sleeping may be comforting if one lacks the physical or emotional energy to get up and take on more demanding tasks. Sleeping with depression doesn’t make someone lazy. Instead, they might be truly struggling to get up. Talking to a therapist or considering medication are a couple of options for reducing the impact of this symptom.
The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which medication or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. Do not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.
Is oversleeping bad for mental health?
Oversleeping can be detrimental to mental health as well as physical. However, occasionally sleeping more than usual isn’t typically harmful. If you are sleeping over nine hours every night, consider seeking medical support, as excessive sleep is often a sign of a deficiency or physical health condition.
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