Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
One of the main symptoms of Idiopathic Hypersomnia is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). This means feeling excessively tired and drowsy during the day, even after a full night's sleep. People with this condition often struggle to stay awake and may involuntarily fall asleep during activities such as driving or working. EDS can have a significant impact on daily functioning and may interfere with work, school, and personal relationships.
Difficulty Waking Up
Another common symptom of Idiopathic Hypersomnia is difficulty waking up in the morning. People with this condition often have extreme difficulty getting out of bed and may require multiple alarms or assistance to wake up. Even after waking up, they may continue to feel groggy and excessively sleepy throughout the day. This can make it challenging to maintain a regular sleep-wake schedule and can lead to chronic sleep deprivation.
Long Sleep Duration
People with Idiopathic Hypersomnia tend to require a longer amount of sleep compared to the average person. They may sleep for excessively long periods, often exceeding 10 hours or more. Despite getting an extended amount of sleep, they still experience persistent sleepiness and struggle to feel refreshed. This prolonged sleep duration can further disrupt daily activities and routines.
Difficulty Concentrating and Remembering
In addition to excessive sleepiness, people with Idiopathic Hypersomnia may also experience difficulties with concentration and memory. They may have trouble focusing on tasks, retaining information, and may experience frequent lapses in attention. This can impact performance at work or school and affect overall cognitive functioning.