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Dysania

Updated June 2, 2023

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Table of Contents

What Is Dysania?
Symptoms of Dysania
Causes of Spending Too Much Time in Bed
Health Effects of Excessive Time in Bed
Treatments for Excessive Time in Bed
When to Talk to Your Doctor

Many people enjoy spending a few extra hours in bed on a weekend morning. However, some individuals frequently experience an extreme desire to remain in bed. They may even feel like they cannot get out of bed at all. These feelings and desires may be referred to as dysania, clinomania, or clinophilia.

All three of these terms describe spending excess time in bed Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source but not necessarily sleeping more. Although occasionally lounging in bed may not be a cause for concern, spending too much time in bed may make sleeping at night more difficult. It may also be a symptom of an underlying health condition Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source .

What Is Dysania?

Dysania means an extreme difficulty rising from bed or an inability to leave the bed. Dysania is closely associated with clinomania, which is an obsession with or profound desire for staying in bed. These terms are not widely recognized by the medical community.

Some professionals use the term clinophilia Trusted Source American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) AASM sets standards and promotes excellence in sleep medicine health care, education, and research. View Source , which refers to an excessive amount of time spent in bed both at night and during the day. Although a person with clinophilia spends more time lying in bed, the amount of time they spend sleeping does not necessarily increase.

Dysania, clinomania, and clinophilia are not standalone disorders themselves but may be symptoms of another condition Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . However, the use of these terms is inconsistent in the medical community. This means that few published research studies connect these terms to specific medical conditions.

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Symptoms of Dysania

Dysania is characterized by an overwhelming need to stay in bed. Individuals may experience other symptoms alongside dysania, depending on the underlying cause. Concurrent symptoms may include excessive daytime sleepiness Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source or fatigue Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source .

How Much Time in Bed Is Too Much?

The amount of time an individual needs to spend in bed varies depending on age and health Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Sleep experts recommend that the bed only be used for sleeping and sex, and not other activities, in order to improve sleep at night. Since the average adult needs between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, that range may be a good estimate of the time most adults should spend in bed.

Causes of Spending Too Much Time in Bed

Spending excessive time in bed may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as depression. Depression is a mood disorder that has many symptoms, including decreased interest in activities or other people, weight changes, trouble sleeping, and fatigue. These symptoms may contribute to a desire to stay in bed and not get up.

Too much time spent in bed can also be a symptom of hypersomnia. Hypersomnia is a disorder of excessive sleepiness that occurs even when a person should be awake. People with hypersomnia experience unrefreshing sleep at night and can fall asleep unintentionally during the daytime.

Other health issues may contribute to extra time spent in bed, though there is limited research on the association. For example, sleep inertia is a state of grogginess upon waking up in the morning that affects cognitive performance Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . This experience may make getting out of bed a challenge.

Some health conditions may cause extreme tiredness Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source or pain, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . People with these conditions tend to have unrefreshing sleep. They may also sleep longer and may spend extra time in bed due to exhaustion.

Health Effects of Excessive Time in Bed

Excess time spent in bed can have consequences on sleep and the body. For instance, spending too much time overall in bed may make it harder to stay asleep at night Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . Research shows that limiting the amount of time spent in bed can improve sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source for people with insomnia.

If a person does not change positions while lying in bed, they may develop pressure ulcers, also called bed sores Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . A sedentary lifestyle Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source can also decrease muscle strength, weaken bones, and impact the immune system. Increasing physical activity can improve these outcomes.

Treatments for Excessive Time in Bed

Because excess time spent in bed may be a symptom of an underlying condition, treatment may be aimed at addressing the condition. For example, people with depression may benefit Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source from a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants.

Also, practicing sleep hygiene can help instill a healthy routine around sleep. Sleep hygiene includes several key components.

Follow a consistent sleep schedule: Try going to bed and waking up at the same times every day, including on weekends. Aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
Use the bed only for sleep and sex: Avoid activities like working or eating in bed.
Create a quality sleep environment: The bedroom should be dark, quiet, and kept at a comfortable temperature for sleeping. Accessories such as blackout curtains or white noise machines can help block out unwanted light or sounds.
Wind down before bedtime: Calming activities such as taking a bath, reading, or meditating can help you relax and feel sleepy before bedtime.
Get sunlight and exercise during the day: Exposure to sunlight helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake rhythm Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source . Daytime physical activity Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source can make falling asleep easier in the evening.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

If your desire to remain in bed is impacting your health and well-being, talk to your health care provider. Be sure to share other symptoms you may be experiencing, such as depressed mood, excessive daytime sleepiness, or fatigue. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and determine an appropriate course of action.

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Written By

Jay Vera Summer, Staff Writer

Jay Vera Summer is a writer, editor, and wellness coach. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in psychology and Master's degrees in both writing and public policy.

Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Nilong Vyas, Pediatrician MD

Dr. Vyas is a pediatrician and founder of Sleepless in NOLA. She specializes in helping parents establish healthy sleep habits for children.

Learn more about our Editorial Team

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Learn More About Excessive Sleepiness

woman looking tired, holding a cup of coffee

Dysania

What Is Dysania?