Veronika McGinn

I have hypersomnia which in short terms is the opposite of insomnia but not narcolepsy. I may look tired all the time, which I am, but I am listening and doing my best to focus on whoever is talking. If I space out, it's not because I'm bored, it's because I crave the softness of my bed and coffee.

I can take five hour naps and still feel like sleeping some more. I need more than eight hours of sleep each night to be somewhat functional during the day which is a problem as a college student with a part time job. I don't like sleeping and feeling tired all the time, it got old fast. On the positive side I get random spikes of energy throughout the day, which is cool especially when it's in the middle of the night.

My symptoms began about eight years ago and it took a lot of effort and doctor visits to get officially diagnosed because my concerns were usually blamed on everything else. They take my blood and measure lipids, thyroid, iron levels, etc. I have given a lot of blood for testing so I'm excellent around needles and filling out long medical forms. I have been told that I have juicy veins by nurses. Turns out there is no medical explanation for why I am tired all the time but I now have a label for it. Sleep well and cherish your time awake.