Might just be laziness? Depression makes a person sleep for periods of time too. Or maybe he's just wired like that. I know plenty of people who need 10 hours plus of sleep just to be functional the next day.
It sounds like your friend might be depressed and is using sleep to cope. Sleeping more (and sometimes less) than normal is a symptom, and results from the low amount of energy you usually have when you're depressed. Of course, he could just be lazy; my roommate spends 70% of his day in bed, and only leaves to get food, watch movies, work or hang with us. There are tons of people who live sedentary lifestyles such as this, and it can be difficult to change -- especially if that person doesn't want to. I don't think your friend is addicted to sleep, but you could give him some outside perspective on how it negatively affects him.
I know a lot of people who are addicted to sleep. They may just be lazy and don't realize it but the problem can lie even deeper than that. A lot of depressed and bipolar disordered people use sleep as a coping mechanism, sleeping as much as they can to get away from the real life and responsibilities.
I love sleeping more than anything. I don't normally fall asleep just anywhere, but I can when I feel like it. I've lost jobs because I've woken up and been like, **** it, I'll get another job, I'm going back to sleep. It's like a drug to me- sometimes I feel like I physically can't get myself out of bed, the thought of being able to close my eyes again is so enticing that I can't stop myself. I used to be a heavy drinker, drinking a liter of vodka every day, and that was my reason to wake up every morning. Gotta beat the hangover before it sets in. New drunk adventures await. Now I've been over a year clean and sober, and my new addiction is sleeping. If I'm not at work, I'm sleeping. If I'm running errands, I'm thinking about getting back home and lounging in front of the TV until I fall asleep. I'm on antidepressants with drowsy side effects, but these are fairly new meds and though they contribute, are not the reason for my hunger for sleep. I hate it because I will sleep until I absolutely have to get up. And when I get home I immediately crawl into pajamas and curl up in front of the TV and continue my interrupted sleeping. But I don't hate it, I don't want to change it, because sleep is the best thing in the world!! I once slept through two entire days with no interruption. So it's a problem because I'm being a lazy **** and not doing responsible things (I'm 24 ..trying to get my life back on track and be an adult). I have to get ready for work right now and I really just want to sleep for like, ten minutes. I might. But that always ends up being "20.. 30.. 40.. **** I'm gonna be late". I just was curious if anyone else has this problem and if sleep addiction is a thing.
I think I'm the only one about to say yea you probably can be addicted to sleep. The way you describe how he's had mathed out how often he can sleep everyday, its basically how someone addicted to anyone will do with any addiction. I have a very addictive personality, if i didnt have a 2 year old to look after everyday hey maybe I would be addicted to sleep. I was actually looking on google when I came across this page trying to find anyone whos been addicted to sleep because I've been feeling like i am addicted to like the sleep cycle itself. Ive never sleep 12 hours a day in my adult years purposely like that.. Its like my favorite time of the day though honestly I get so anxious just when it gets dark to go to sleep. Again if I didn't have a 2 year old I would be going to sleep that early. I smoke weed addictivley most times I wont smoke it because I know how addictivley i do and ill do it all day if I can. If I'm not smoking weed however I will either eat addictivley I will smoke ciggs more often I will sleep more often. I tend to trade my addictions for another. I think to say sleep is a normal function and you need it therefore you can't be addicted.. Like maybe there is more of a medical problem this person was going through but I don't think you can't be addicted to sleep, you can be addicted to food.. We need that to survive just like sleep
@Freedom11 Hello and welcome. Thanks for sharing. I don't hear of sleep addiction much, but I suppose it could be a reality for some people. Some say depression can cause one to want to sleep all the time. You mentioned you have an addictive personality. Have you ever gotten professional help to see if you could get to the root of that? Maybe there are some tools you could use that can curb that tendency for addiction. I used to think I had an addictive personality..and I get it that some are more inclined that way. I think 12 step groups helped me, and counseling, to heal some underlying wounds, and that helped me want to numb out my feelings more or try to fill the void I felt with outer things... I am glad you do better b/c of your 2 y/o. Having kids is energy expending I remember loving sleep time too by the end of the day with 3 kids. lol Again, thanks for sharing.
I came to this forum because I wasn't sure if what I have is an addiction or not. I too have irregular sleeping habits which include over sleeping as well. I used to miss my classes because of sleep. I used to sleep for 12 hours daily. always feeling tired. I finished university almost a year ago but cant get a job because I am always sleeping. Even now If my sleep is interrupted I get irritated and angry. I lose control over most of normal functions. Just this week I almost slashed my throat (accidentally) by glass during renovations of my home just because my sleep was disturbed that morning. I thought I had control over it but I didn't. The same day I went to buy something that renovator asked but came back with a different product because I presumably misheard him (or mis typed maybe). I used to think that I was just a lazy bum and this was nothing but this is when I realized that this has gotten way far normal. If anyone here has the same problem or knows the solution please guide me
@Saad Ali hello and welcome! thanks for reaching out. it does sound like something is up with your sleep rhythm. are you able to see a doctor and share this with him or her? you could have a physical issue causing you to be sleepy... some people have chronic fatigue syndrome, and this makes them feel tired... but that's just one thing; a doctor may be able to run some tests to see if the issue could be found. are you able to see a dr?
@Dominica Mental health support is not as much developed in part of the world that I live in. I don't think there are doctors (or psychologists) here that can help me with this problem. The most they will ask me to exercise to get rid of it. Secondly Yes, I have some health problems with kidney and urinary track but that is hereditary. I cant say it is playing a role or not as I have it since I was 13. Thanks for responding
@Saad Ali but have you had a doctor check you out for possible causes? had a panel of blood tests done? if it were me, i'd address myself via a doctor to rule out any physical causes... i'd also look at my eating habits.... (do you take any drugs?) could it be depression? i'm no doctor... but i do want you to be able to get to the bottom of this... you have a degree and it'd be great if you could get out there and use it doing something you like
Thanks for the advice. I will definitely try this. I have had two depression phases during the past year because of not able to get a job but I managed to pull myself back. I smoke but do not do drugs.
How different people are. Some people have a problem waking up, while others have a problem getting enough sleep.