Primary Hypersomnia is in the Category of Sleep Disorders.

Etiology Hypersomnia is present in up to 5% of the population at some point in their lives and is more prevalent in males.

Causes can vary greatly but often the symptoms begin prior to age 30 and continue to progress unless treated. Some research suggests that sleep disruptions during the night (such as breathing related sleep disorder) causes the individual to lack REM sleep and therefore feel tired despite the fact that he or she has slept through the night.

Symptoms

The criteria for primary hypersomnia include excessive sleepiness for at least one month as evidences by prolonged sleep during the night or excessive daytime sleep. This must cause significant distress or impairment for the individual and can not occur exclusively during another mental illness, medical condition, or substance use.

Treatment

Treatment can include medication, exercise, changes in diet or other techniques employed to treat associated disorders if present (e.g., breathing related sleep disorder). If associated with another mental (e.g., depression) or medical condition the symptoms of primary hypersomnia will often dissipate went the other condition improves. Prognosis Hypersomnia can be chronic, especially when not associated with another disorder and therefore can continue to worsen if left untreated. Treatments are readily available and can improve the prognosis significantly.

Related Articles

Hypersomnia at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■■
Hypersomnia refers to a type of type of dyssomnia that involves being chronically sleepy and sleeping . . . Read More
Narcolepsy at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■■
Narcolepsy refers to a sudden, irresistible, daytime sleep attacks that may last anywhere from a few . . . Read More
Eating Disorders, Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Eating Disorders, Not Otherwise Specifi ed (EDNOS) refers to a category of eating disorders that includes . . . Read More
Representativeness at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Representativeness refers to the extent to which a sample adequately reflects the characteristics of . . . Read More
Psychiatry at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Psychiatry refers to the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of . . . Read More
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the bible of abnormal psychology. It lists . . . Read More
DSM-III at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) refers to the third edition of the Diagnostic . . . Read More
Structural Clinical Interview at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
The priority for a research diagnosis of depression is the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders . . . Read More
Clinico-anatomical hypothesis at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Clinico-anatomical hypothesis is the view that regards dreams as just thinking that takes place under . . . Read More
Mania at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Mania refers to period of abnormally excessive elation or euphoria associated with some mood disorders . . . Read More