October 2020 | Reviewed by: Shelley Hershner, MD and John Saito, MD
What is a long sleeper?
Generally, a person’s sleep requirement is determined by their biologic and internal clock. We often say that people need 7-9 hours of sleep, but some people require more sleep to feel rested.
“Long sleepers” are people who regularly sleep more than the average person their age. As adults, their nightly length of sleep tends to be 10 to 12 hours. This sleep is very normal and of a good quality. It is simply much longer than most people because of their natural biological clock.
A long sleeper’s main complaint is that there is not enough time during the day to be awake. The disorder begins in childhood and is a life-long. It is not caused by a sudden change in medical or mental conditions. It is a very stable, consistent pattern of sleep.
Many long sleepers are sleep deprived because they can’t get the sleep they need during the week due to the demands of work, school, and family. Often what will occur is that they catch up with 12 to 15 hours of sleep on weekends and holidays.
A long sleeper who does not get enough sleep will feel sleepy during the day. This need for long hours of sleep can disrupt relationships with family and friends. It can be hard to keep up with social events and job or school schedules. But as long as they get enough sleep, long sleepers will feel alert and well rested during the day.
FAQs
Long sleepers need more hours of sleep than other people with similar characteristics. Ten or more hours of sleep a night is considered long sleep in adults. Among children and adolescents, long sleepers are those who consistently need two or more hours of sleep when compared to others in their age group.
What causes a person to be a long sleeper? ›
Diseases and conditions that can cause hypersomnia include epilepsy, hypothyroidism, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, delayed sleep phase syndrome, multiple systems atrophy, myotonic dystrophy and other genetic disorders, mood disorders (including depression, ...
Are there people who need 12 hours of sleep? ›
We often say that people need 7-9 hours of sleep, but some people require more sleep to feel rested. “Long sleepers” are people who regularly sleep more than the average person their age. As adults, their nightly length of sleep tends to be 10 to 12 hours. This sleep is very normal and of a good quality.
Why do I sleep for 12 hours and still feel tired? ›
Characteristics of hypersomnia
In extreme cases, a person with hypersomnia might sleep soundly at night for 12 hours or more, but still feel the need to nap during the day. Sleeping and napping may not help, and the mind may remain foggy with drowsiness.
How do you deal with being a long sleeper? ›
Tips for Long Sleepers
Keep a Sleep Journal: A sleep journal can help you to track how much you're sleeping. Try keeping a sleep journal for 7 to 14 days, and be sure to record when you fall asleep and when you wake up.
What does being a heavy sleeper say about you? ›
Sleep deprivation: People who don't get enough sleep or have irregular sleep patterns are more likely to be heavy sleepers. This is because their body is not getting the right amount of sleep it needs to function properly, making them more likely to feel groggy and disoriented upon waking.
How many hours is oversleeping? ›
Oversleeping refers to sleeping for at least 10 hours in a 24-hour period. Temporary oversleeping could simply be a result of recuperating from hours lost the previous days. However, speak with a healthcare professional if you regularly sleep for at least 9 hours and still feel tired during the day.
Is it normal to sleep 10 hours every night? ›
Experts agree that between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night is a healthy range for adults, although it differs from person to person. If you're sleeping more than 9 hours but that's normal for you — and it's not causing any problems in your day-to-day life — there may be no underlying issue.
What medication is used to stop oversleeping? ›
Your doctor can also prescribe various drugs to treat hypersomnia. These may include: Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or modafinil (Provigil) Antidepressants, such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft)
What does psychology say about sleeping a lot? ›
Oversleeping is considered a potential symptom of depression. While many people with depression report insomnia, about 15% tend to oversleep. People with long sleep durations are also more likely to have persistent depression. View source or anxiety symptoms compared to normal sleepers.
The most common reason a person may fall asleep randomly is not getting enough sleep. Many people need 7–9 hours of sleep each day, and when an individual does not get enough, their body may force them to fall asleep to catch up.
Is it normal to need a nap every day? ›
If you're experiencing an increased need for naps and there's no obvious cause of new fatigue in your life, talk to your doctor. You could be taking a medication or have a sleep disorder or other medical condition that's disrupting your nighttime sleep.
What does it mean when you sleep long? ›
A Quick Review. Oversleeping means sleeping more than nine hours in 24 hours. It's associated with a higher risk of several conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and heart failure—but it doesn't mean it causes those conditions. Instead, oversleeping may be a symptom of other underlying conditions.
Why am I sleeping so long all of a sudden? ›
Maybe you oversleep because you're fighting off an illness, or you're catching up after a few nights of sleep deprivation. However, consistently oversleeping may be the sign of a sleep disorder, mental health disorder, or other health issue.
What disorder is sleeping for a long time? ›
Hypersomnia is what doctors call a variety of conditions in which you often feel overly tired or sleep too much. It can happen because of illnesses like epilepsy or Parkinson's disease, or mental conditions like depression. It's also the main symptom of narcolepsy and of a condition called Kleine-Levin syndrome.
What is the oversleeping disorder? ›
Oversleeping affects people who regularly get much more sleep than their body needs, such as sleeping for 11–13 hours each night.
