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Patients with hypersomnia typically experience an overwhelming sense of sleepiness throughout the day that makes it difficult for them to stay awake. They may lack energy and find it difficult to think clearly.

Feelings of sleepiness tend to progress over a given period of time. Unlike some other sleep disorders (e.g., narcolepsy), patients with hypersomnia typically do not suddenly fall asleep. However, patients with hypersomnia may find themselves napping throughout the day for periods of one hour or longer. This can interfere with social activities and work. Patients are most likely to succumb to the desire to sleep during activities that involve less stimulation, such as while watching television or listening to a speaker. Patients with hypersomnia rarely feel refreshed despite such long napping.

In addition, patients with hypersomnia usually fall asleep quickly, sleep especially deeply and sleep for long periods of time at night (e.g., eight to 12 hours). They may find it difficult to wake in the morning and often feel disoriented when they do wake. This is sometimes known as “sleep drunkenness.”

Other symptoms associated with hypersomnia include:

• Anxiety
• Decreased appetite (anorexia)
• Hallucinations
• Impaired memory
• Increased daytime hyperactivity in children
• Irritability and restlessness
• Slowed speech and thinking

Patients with the recurrent primary hypersomnia known as Kleine-Levin syndrome often also display hypersexuality. They may masturbate in front of others or make inappropriate sexual advances. This is more common in male patients than female. Patients with Kleine-Levin syndrome may also overeat compulsively and can spend up to 20 hours asleep at one time.