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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
1:03 Causes of Hypersomnia
1:34 Symptoms of Hypersomnia
1:49 Diagnosis of Hypersomnia
2:59 Treatment of Hypersomnia



Hypersomnia is a neurological disorder of excessive time spent sleeping or excessive sleepiness. It can have many possible causes such as seasonal affective disorder[1] and can cause distress and problems with functioning.[2] In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), hypersomnolence, of which there are several subtypes, appears under sleep-wake disorders.[3]

Hypersomnia is a pathological state characterized by a lack of alertness during the waking episodes of the day.[4] It is not to be confused with fatigue, which is a normal physiological state.[5] Daytime sleepiness appears most commonly during situations where little interaction is needed.[6]

Since the patients’ attention levels are impaired, their quality of life may be impacted as well.[7] This is especially true for people whose jobs request high levels of attention, for example in the healthcare field.[7] Indeed, the lack of attention can cause injuries to self or others, which makes this disorder a real public health issue.[7]