We talk a lot about insomnia and how it is often caused by depression, anxiety or substance abuse, but what about oversleeping? Too much sleep, or hypersomnia, can also be bad for your health and, like insomnia, can be brought on by mental illnesses and drug or alcohol abuse.

If you find yourself sleeping much more than usual on regular basis, it may be a sign of something more serious going on. Oversleeping typically means more than nine hours a night on a regular basis; however ,it can also be measured in comparison to your normal sleep schedule.

About 15% of people with depression suffer from hypersomnia. This can ultimately make depression worse because regular sleep habits are important to the recovery process. Depression is one of the leading causes of oversleeping. This is in part due to the fact that those with depression often struggle with getting motivated and find it hard to muster up the energy to get out of bed.

Substance abuse also plays a critical role in hypersomnia. Alcohol, as well as many prescription drugs can make you feel very tired and cause you to oversleep. If you have ever been prescribed a medication that causes drowsiness, you know the feeling. Those who abuse these drugs can really mess with their sleep cycle. This can be made worse by combining these drugs with alcohol.

Additionally, stress can have a similar, short-term effect on your sleeping habits. If you are dealing with a lot of stress, you may become overly tired at the end of the day, causing you to sleep more than normal.

For more information on hypersomnia, depression or substance abuse, contact Solace Counseling. We can help treat the underlying cause and get you back on a regular sleep cycle. Also, be sure to look for us on Facebook and Twitter.