Skip to main content
Log in

Hypersomnolence, Hypersomnia, and Mood Disorders

  • Sleep Disorders (P Gehrman, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Psychiatry Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Relationships between symptoms of hypersomnolence, psychiatric disorders, and hypersomnia disorders (i.e., narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia) are complex and multidirectional. Hypersomnolence is a common complaint across mood disorders; however, patients suffering from mood disorders and hypersomnolence rarely have objective daytime sleepiness, as assessed by the current gold standard test, the Multiple Sleep Latency Test. An iatrogenic origin of symptoms of hypersomnolence, and sleep apnea syndrome must be considered in a population of psychiatric patients, often overweight and treated with sedative drugs. On the other hand, psychiatric comorbidities, especially depression symptoms, are often reported in patients with hypersomnia disorders, and an endogenous origin cannot be ruled out. A great challenge for sleep specialists and psychiatrists is to differentiate psychiatric hypersomnolence and a central hypersomnia disorder with comorbid psychiatric symptoms. The current diagnostic tools seem to be limited in that condition, and further research in that field is warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently have been highlighted as: • of importance

  1. • Dauvilliers Y, Lopez R, Ohayon M, Bayard S. Hypersomnia and depressive symptoms: methodological and clinical aspects. BMC Med. 2013;11:78. A comprehensive review on hypersomnolence and psychiatric disorders.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Bassetti CL, Ferini-Strambi L, Brown S, Adamantidis A, Benedetti F, Bruni O, et al. Neurology and psychiatry: waking up to opportunities of sleep: state of the art and clinical/research priorities for the next decade. Eur J Neurol. 2015;22:1337–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. • Ohayon MM, Dauvilliers Y, Reynolds CF. Operational definitions and algorithms for excessive sleepiness in the general population: implications for DSM-5 nosology. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012;69:71–9. A large survey in the adult US general population showed that excessive sleepiness is a highly underestimated prevalent problem.

  4. Kaplan KA, Harvey AG. Hypersomnia across mood disorders: a review and synthesis. Sleep Med Rev. 2009;13:275–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Pallesen S, Nordhus IH, Omvik S, Sivertsen B, Tell GS, Bjorvatn B. Prevalence and risk factors of subjective sleepiness in the general adult population. Sleep. 2007;30:619–24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Jaussent I, Bouyer J, Ancelin M-L, Akbaraly T, Pérès K, Ritchie K, et al. Insomnia and daytime sleepiness are risk factors for depressive symptoms in the elderly. Sleep. 2011;34:1103–10.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. • Plante DT. Sleep propensity in psychiatric hypersomnolence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of multiple sleep latency test findings. Sleep Med. Rev. 2016;31:48–57. A comprehensive review and meta-analysis of objective sleepiness in psychiatric conditions.

  8. AASM: The international classification of sleep disorders, third edition : diagnostic and coding manual (ICSD-3). Darien, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine. 2014.

  9. American Psychiatric Association. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed (DSM-5). APA. Arlington, VA: 2013.

  10. Bassetti CL, Dauvilliers Y: Idiopathic hypersomnia, 969–989. In Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 5th edition. Edited by Kryger MH, Roth T, Dement WC ED. Elsevier Saunders; 2011.

  11. Billiard M, Dauvilliers Y. Idiopathic hypersomnia. Sleep Med Rev. 2001;5:349–58.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale. Sleep. 1991;14:540–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hoddes E, Zarcone V, Smythe H, Phillips R, Dement WC. Quantification of sleepiness: a new approach. Psychophysiology. 1973;10:431–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Akerstedt T, Gillberg M. Subjective and objective sleepiness in the active individual. Int J Neurosci. 1990;52:29–37.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Buysse DJ, Ancoli-Israel S, Edinger JD, Lichstein KL, Morin CM. Recommendations for a standard research assessment of insomnia. Sleep. 2006;29:1155–73.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Martin JL, Hakim AD. Wrist actigraphy. Chest. 2011;139:1514–27.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Morgenthaler T, Alessi C, Friedman L, Owens J, Kapur V, Boehlecke B, et al. Practice parameters for the use of actigraphy in the assessment of sleep and sleep disorders: an update for 2007. Sleep. 2007;30:519–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Ancoli-Israel S, Cole R, Alessi C, Chambers M, Moorcroft W, Pollak CP. The role of actigraphy in the study of sleep and circadian rhythms. Sleep. 2003;26:342–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Billiard M. Idiopathic hypersomnia. Neurol Clin. 1996;14:573–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Vernet C, Arnulf I. Idiopathic hypersomnia with and without long sleep time: a controlled series of 75 patients. Sleep. 2009;32:753–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Arand D, Bonnet M, Hurwitz T, Mitler M, Rosa R, Sangal RB. The clinical use of the MSLT and MWT. Sleep. 2005;28:123–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Littner MR, Kushida C, Wise M, Davila DG, Morgenthaler T, Lee-Chiong T, et al. Practice parameters for clinical use of the multiple sleep latency test and the maintenance of wakefulness test. Sleep. 2005;28:113–21.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Doghramji K, Mitler MM, Sangal RB, Shapiro C, Taylor S, Walsleben J, et al. A normative study of the maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT). Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1997;103:554–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Zimmerman M, McGlinchey JB, Posternak MA, Friedman M, Boerescu D, Attiullah N. Differences between minimally depressed patients who do and do not consider themselves to be in remission. J Clin Psychiatry. 2005;66:1134–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Fitzgerald CT, Messias E, Buysse DJ. Teen sleep and suicidality: results from the youth risk behavior surveys of 2007 and 2009. J Clin Sleep Med JCSM Off Publ Am Acad Sleep Med. 2011;7:351–6.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Goldstein TR, Bridge JA, Brent DA. Sleep disturbance preceding completed suicide in adolescents. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2008;76:84–91.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Chalder T, Berelowitz G, Pawlikowska T, Watts L, Wessely S, Wright D, et al. Development of a fatigue scale. J Psychosom Res. 1993;37:147–53.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Monteleone P, Maj M. The circadian basis of mood disorders: recent developments and treatment implications. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol J Eur Coll Neuropsychopharmacol. 2008;18:701–11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Sørensen MJ, Nissen JB, Mors O, Thomsen PH. Age and gender differences in depressive symptomatology and comorbidity: an incident sample of psychiatrically admitted children. J Affect Disord. 2005;84:85–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Roberts RE, Shema SJ, Kaplan GA, Strawbridge WJ. Sleep complaints and depression in an aging cohort: a prospective perspective. Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157:81–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Akiskal HS, Benazzi F. Atypical depression: a variant of bipolar II or a bridge between unipolar and bipolar II? J Affect Disord. 2005;84:209–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Williamson DE, Birmaher B, Brent DA, Balach L, Dahl RE, Ryan ND. Atypical symptoms of depression in a sample of depressed child and adolescent outpatients. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000;39:1253–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kaplan KA, Gruber J, Eidelman P, Talbot LS, Harvey AG. Hypersomnia in inter-episode bipolar disorder: does it have prognostic significance? J Affect Disord. 2011;132:438–44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Tsuno N, Jaussent I, Dauvilliers Y, Touchon J, Ritchie K, Besset A. Determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness in a French community-dwelling elderly population. J Sleep Res. 2007;16:364–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Allen JM, Lam RW, Remick RA, Sadovnick AD. Depressive symptoms and family history in seasonal and nonseasonal mood disorders. Am J Psychiatry. 1993;150:443–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Terman M, Amira L, Terman JS, Ross DC. Predictors of response and nonresponse to light treatment for winter depression. Am J Psychiatry. 1996;153:1423–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Winkler D, Willeit M, Praschak-Rieder N, Lucht MJ, Hilger E, Konstantinidis A, et al. Changes of clinical pattern in seasonal affective disorder (SAD) over time in a German-speaking sample. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2002;252:54–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Avery DH, Khan A, Dager SR, Cohen S, Cox GB, Dunner DL. Morning or evening bright light treatment of winter depression? The significance of hypersomnia. Biol Psychiatry. 1991;29:117–26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Tam EM, Lam RW, Robertson HA, Stewart JN, Yatham LN, Zis AP. Atypical depressive symptoms in seasonal and non-seasonal mood disorders. J Affect Disord. 1997;44:39–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Trotti LM. Waking up is the hardest thing I do all day: Sleep inertia and sleep drunkenness. Sleep Med Rev. 2016;Sep 4 Epub.

  41. Nofzinger EA, Thase ME, Reynolds CF, Himmelhoch JM, Mallinger A, Houck P, et al. Hypersomnia in bipolar depression: a comparison with narcolepsy using the multiple sleep latency test. Am J Psychiatry. 1991;148:1177–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Billiard M, Partinen M, Roth T, Shapiro C. Sleep and psychiatric disorders. J Psychosom Res. 1994;38 Suppl 1:1–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Dolenc L, Besset A, Billiard M. Hypersomnia in association with dysthymia in comparison with idiopathic hypersomnia and normal controls. Pflüg Arch Eur J Physiol. 1996;431:R303–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Vgontzas AN, Bixler EO, Kales A, Criley C, Vela-Bueno A. Differences in nocturnal and daytime sleep between primary and psychiatric hypersomnia: diagnostic and treatment implications. Psychosom Med. 2000;62:220–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Ford DE, Kamerow DB. Epidemiologic study of sleep disturbances and psychiatric disorders. An opportunity for prevention? JAMA. 1989;262:1479–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Staner L. Comorbidity of insomnia and depression. Sleep Med Rev. 2010;14:35–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Rao U, Hammen CL, Poland RE. Risk markers for depression in adolescents: sleep and HPA measures. Neuropsychopharmacol Off Publ Am Coll Neuropsychopharmacol. 2009;34:1936–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Manber R, Haynes T, Siebern AT: Sleep and Psychiatry Disorders, 471–501 In The Oxford Handbook of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. 1st edition. Edited by Morin CM, Espie CA. Oxford University Press; 2012.

  49. Baglioni C, Nanovska S, Regen W, Spiegelhalder K, Feige B, Nissen C, et al. Sleep and Mental Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Polysomnographic Research. Psychol Bull. 2016;142:960-90.

  50. Netzer NC, Stoohs RA, Netzer CM, Clark K, Strohl KP. Using the Berlin Questionnaire to identify patients at risk for the sleep apnea syndrome. Ann Intern Med. 1999;131:485–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Chung F, Yegneswaran B, Liao P, Chung SA, Vairavanathan S, Islam S, et al. STOP questionnaire: a tool to screen patients for obstructive sleep apnea. Anesthesiology. 2008;108:812–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Veronese N, Solmi M, Gaughran F, Manu P, et al. The prevalence and predictors of obstructive sleep apnea in major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2016;197:259–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Plante DT, Winkelman JW. Sleep disturbance in bipolar disorder: therapeutic implications. Am J Psychiatry. 2008;165:830–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Rishi MA, Shetty M, Wolff A, Amoateng-Adjepong Y, Manthous CA. Atypical antipsychotic medications are independently associated with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2010;33:109–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Mignot E, Lin L, Finn L, Lopes C, Pluff K, Sundstrom ML, et al. Correlates of sleep-onset REM periods during the Multiple Sleep Latency Test in community adults. Brain J Neurol. 2006;129:1609–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Goldbart A, Peppard P, Finn L, Ruoff CM, Barnet J, Young T, et al. Narcolepsy and predictors of positive MSLTs in the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort. Sleep. 2014;37:1043–51.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Dauvilliers Y, Arnulf I, Mignot E. Narcolepsy with cataplexy. Lancet. 2007;369:499–511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Scammell TE. Narcolepsy. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:2654–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Dauvilliers Y, Billiard M, Montplaisir J. Clinical aspects and pathophysiology of narcolepsy. Clin Neurophysiol. 2003;114:2000–17.

  60. Sakurai T. The neural circuit of orexin (hypocretin): maintaining sleep and wakefulness. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007;8:171–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Scott MM, Marcus JN, Pettersen A, Birnbaum SG, Mochizuki T, Scammell TE, et al. Hcrtr1 and 2 signaling differentially regulates depression-like behaviors. Behav Brain Res. 2011;222:289–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Fortuyn HAD, Mulders PC, Renier WO, Buitelaar JK, Overeem S. Narcolepsy and psychiatry: an evolving association of increasing interest. Sleep Med. 2011;12:714–9.

  63. Dauvilliers Y, Gaig C, Barateau L, Graus F, Iranzo A, Lopez R, et al. Absence of NMDA receptor antibodies in the rare association between type 1 narcolepsy and psychosis. Sci Rep. 2016;6:25230.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  64. Lecendreux M, Lavault S, Lopez R, Inocente CO, Konofal E, Cortese S, et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in pediatric narcolepsy: a cross-sectional study. Sleep. 2015;38:1285–95.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  65. Roy A. Psychiatric aspects of narcolepsy. Br J Psychiatry J Ment Sci. 1976;128:562–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Krishnan RR, Volow MR, Miller PP, Carwile ST. Narcolepsy: preliminary retrospective study of psychiatric and psychosocial aspects. Am J Psychiatry. 1984;141:428–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Kales A, Soldatos CR, Bixler EO, Caldwell A, Cadieux RJ, Verrechio JM, et al. Narcolepsy-cataplexy. II. Psychosocial consequences and associated psychopathology. Arch Neurol. 1982;39:169–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Mosko S, Zetin M, Glen S, Garber D, DeAntonio M, Sassin J, et al. Self-reported depressive symptomatology, mood ratings, and treatment outcome in sleep disorders patients. J Clin Psychol. 1989;45:51–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Vourdas A, Shneerson JM, Gregory CA, Smith IE, King MA, Morrish E, et al. Narcolepsy and psychopathology: is there an association? Sleep Med. 2002;3:353–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Fortuyn HAD, Lappenschaar MA, Furer JW, Hodiamont PP, Rijnders CAT, Renier WO, et al. Anxiety and mood disorders in narcolepsy: a case-control study. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2010;32:49–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Dauvilliers Y, Paquereau J, Bastuji H, Drouot X, Weil J-S, Viot-Blanc V. Psychological health in central hypersomnias: the French Harmony study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009;80:636–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Vandeputte M, de Weerd A. Sleep disorders and depressive feelings: a global survey with the Beck depression scale. Sleep Med. 2003;4:343–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Vignatelli L, Plazzi G, Peschechera F, Delaj L, D’Alessandro R. A 5-year prospective cohort study on health-related quality of life in patients with narcolepsy. Sleep Med. 2011;12:19–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Bassetti C, Aldrich MS. Idiopathic hypersomnia. A series of 42 patients. Brain J. Neurol. 1997;120(Pt 8):1423–35.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Roth B, Nevsimalova S. Depresssion in narcolepsy and hypersommia. Schweiz Arch Für Neurol Neurochir Psychiatr Arch Suisses Neurol Neurochir Psychiatr. 1975;116:291–300.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Arnulf I, Rico TJ, Mignot E. Diagnosis, disease course, and management of patients with Kleine-Levin syndrome. Lancet Neurol. 2012;11:918–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Dauvilliers Y, Lopez R. Time to find a biomarker in Kleine-Levin Syndrome. Sleep Med. 2016;21:177.

  78. Worthington J, Fava M, Davidson K, Alpert J, Nierenberg AA, Rosenbaum JF. Patterns of improvement in depressive symptoms with fluoxetine treatment. Psychopharmacol Bull. 1995;31:223–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Geoffroy PA, Scott J, Boudebesse C, Lajnef M, Henry C, Leboyer M, et al. Sleep in patients with remitted bipolar disorders: a meta-analysis of actigraphy studies. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2015;131:89–99.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Geoffroy PA, Etain B, Franchi J-AM, Bellivier F, Ritter P. Melatonin and melatonin agonists as adjunctive treatments in bipolar disorders. Curr Pharm Des. 2015;21:3352–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Dauvilliers Y, Baumann CR, Carlander B, Bischof M, Blatter T, Lecendreux M, Mali F, Besset A, Touchon J, Billiard M, Tafti M, Bassetti CL. CSF hypocretin-1 levels in narcolepsy, Kleine-Levin syndrome, and other hypersomnias and neurological conditions. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74:1667–73.

  82. Gelperin K, Phelan K. Psychiatric adverse events associated with drug treatment of ADHD: review of postmarketing safety data. FDA Report PID D050243. US Food and Drug Administration, March 3, 2006. 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Calabrese JR, Ketter TA, Youakim JM, Tiller JM, Yang R, Frye MA. Adjunctive armodafinil for major depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71:1363–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Frye MA, Grunze H, Suppes T, McElroy SL, Keck PE, Walden J, et al. A placebo-controlled evaluation of adjunctive modafinil in the treatment of bipolar depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2007;164:1242–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Auger RR, Goodman SH, Silber MH, Krahn LE, Pankratz VS, Slocumb NL. Risks of high-dose stimulants in the treatment of disorders of excessive somnolence: a case-control study. Sleep. 2005;28:667–72.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. • Dauvilliers Y, Bassetti C, Lammers GJ, Arnulf I, Mayer G, Rodenbeck A, et al. Pitolisant versus placebo or modafinil in patients with narcolepsy: a double-blind, randomised trial. Lancet Neurol. 2013;12:1068–75. This study reports the results of a new drug (pitolisant) of interest to treat patients with narcolepsy with potential for other hypersomnia conditions.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yves Dauvilliers.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Jean Arthur Micoulaud Franchi declares no conflict of interest.

Lucie Barateau has received speakers’ fees from UCB and paid travel accommodations from Laidet Médical.

Régis Lopez has received speakers’ fees from Shire and UCB, and paid travel accommodations from HAC Pharma and Linde Homecare.

Yves Dauvilliers participated in advisory boards for UCB Pharma, Jazz, Theranexus, GSK, Actelion, and Bioprojet.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sleep Disorders

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Barateau, L., Lopez, R., Franchi, J.A.M. et al. Hypersomnolence, Hypersomnia, and Mood Disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep 19, 13 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0763-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0763-0

Keywords

Navigation