TYPES OF SLEEP DISORDERS
IDIOPATHIC HYPERSOMNIA
Idiopathic Hypersomnia (IH) is a chronic neurological sleep disorder, causing excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate, or more typically, long sleep amounts (more than 9-10 hours in a 24-hour period). People with IH often struggle to wake, despite setting multiple alarms, and have difficulty rising from bed (called sleep inertia). They may start the day feeling extremely groggy (sometimes referred to as sleep drunk), and can experience significantly reduced focus and concentration during waking hours (called brain fog).
People suffering from Idiopathic Hypersomnia often live without a correct diagnosis for a long time, blaming themselves and struggling to maintain work, studies and relationships.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting sleep patterns and the sleep/wake cycle. It typically begins in pre-teens/teens or early adulthood and affects approximately 1 in 2,000 people in the United States. Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (loss of muscle control), disrupted nighttime sleep, and hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations.
Diagnosis is usually confirmed in a sleep lab through a series of tests, including the Multiple Sleep Latency Test. If you suspect you have narcolepsy, take the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
