Natural Short Sleepers Get Depressed When Oversleeping?

[Surfgod]

Im a 31 year old who has suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. I feel groggy and have trouble socializing. Last week everday I averaged 3-5 hours sleep a night and never felt more alert, energetic, happy and clear headed. I was able to socialize with being outgoing. I could see my negative thoughts had no basis. Then sunday I with nothing to do slept all day thinking I would catch up with sleep though not being overtired. Last night I was in bed from 10 pm to 10am today.

For past two days been back in the rut with negative thoughts and anxiety making my mind kinda blank when in a social situation. I am wondering if I am a natural short sleeper who responds better with less sleep.

I have had lapses where I wouldnt sleep at all for one night or two before crashing and went into a hypomanic mood with irrational behavior and really outgoing behavior but this week I had none of it as I did get some hours in.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

[thephdtobe]

It is now well documented that certain people do not need as much sleep as others.  Certain people are fully rejuvenated after 3 to 5 hours.   As you study history you will see that many of the world's greatest thinkers claimed to sleep very little.  Little naps here and there, they felt that sleep was a necessary evil, and an unfortunate break in productivity.  I too am at my best when I sleep an average of 4 hours a night.  I am most productive very the earliest hours of the morning, and function very well throughout the  day.  This has been my routine since I was in elementary school.  At this point if I am feeling tired regularly and oversleeping for a period of time it generally means that something is wrong with my health.  Perhaps this is an epiphany for you, embrace it.  Sleep 3 to 5 hours, then get up and get moving.  Every now and then if you need to crash it will be out of necessity and should not be as depressing.  Give it a shot, see how you feel.  Good luck!

[ktf]

Although can i add that irrational behaviour does suggest you need some sleep, maybe you should go see your GP as a precaution...

[ktf]

Hi
I can relate to that, i also feel better with less sleep and my 13 year old is the same, we both function much better on 3-5 hours sleep and any more than that he is grouchy and i have brain fog.
I have always had very little sleep since i was a child, be interesting to see if anyone has an answer as to why.

My house mate sleeps an average 10 hours per night!