“Hypersomnia: Symptoms, Causes &amp; Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21591-hypersomnia#diagnosis-and-tests. 

Hypersomnia Diagnosis Criteria

The DSM-5 diagnoses hypersomnolence when all three criteria are met: (A) Self-reported excessive sleepiness despite a main sleep period of at least 7 hours, plus at least one of: recurrent lapses into sleep within the same day; a prolonged main sleep of more than 9 hours that is nonrestorative/unrefreshing; or difficulty being fully awake after an abrupt awakening. (B) The excessive sleepiness occurs at least three times per week for at least 3 months. (C) It causes significant distress or impairment in cognitive, social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

University of Texas at Austin

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A sleep-wake disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep (10 or more hours), occurring despite adequate sleep duration and persisting long enough to impair daily functioning.

Hypersomnia

Current Treatments:

- Xywav (Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Sodium Oxybates)
- Stimulants (amphetamine, methylphenidate, and modafinil)
- Clonidine
- Levodopa 
- Bromocriptine
- Antidepressants
-  Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Changes in diet and social activities (avoiding night shifts and events that delay bedtime)

Current Treatments for Hypersomnia

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Hypersomnia. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/hypersomnia#:~:text=Publications-,Definition,sleepiness%20or%20prolonged%20nighttime%20sleep. 

Symptoms of Hypersomnia include:

- Constant, recurrent episodes of extreme daytime sleepiness
- Sleeping longer than average (10 or more hours) and still being very sleepy during the day as well as having difficulty remaining awake during the day
- Difficulty waking up in the morning (“sleep drunkenness”) or after daytime naps, while sometimes appearing confused or combative.
- Daytime naps don’t lead to improved alertness but are instead unrefreshing and nonrestorative
- Anxiety, irritability
- Decreased energy
- Restlessness
- Slow thinking, slow speech, inability to focus/concentrate, memory problems
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Hallucinations

Hypersomnia Symptoms

Although the causes of Hypersomnia are not clear yet, scientists are currently studying the roles of various neurotransmitters (specifically hypocretin/orexin, dopamine, histamine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain and spinal cord. Genetic ties are also being currently studied as family history is present in up to 39% of people with idiopathic hypersomnia. The impact of the genes associated with the circadian rhythm are also being studied (genes that may be different for those that have idiopathic hypersomnia).

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