Why Can't I Get Out of Bed? How To Manage Dysania

Dysania

If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, you might have Dysania.

Dysania can be defined as the need to stay in bed without sleeping, often alleviating anxiety, stress, and overwhelming feelings.

Dysania is not a medically recognised medical condition; it is simply the name given to the state of finding it hard to get out of bed. However, it is more than sleepiness, caused by an underlying condition that requires a medical diagnosis.

A sign of another problem?

If you feel unable to get out of bed in the morning, something is up. You could have something as innocuous as work-related stress, but other problems often cause frequent episodes of Dysania that can't be explained.

Common medical conditions that cause Dysania include:

Depression
Anxiety disorders
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Sleep apnoea
Insomnia
Narcolepsy
Diabetes*
Thyroid disorders*
Restless leg syndrome
Heart disease*

Conditions marked * can be life-threatening, while others will affect your physical and mental health in many ways.

Due to Dysania being a common sign of other problems, you should speak with your GP as soon as possible. A professional diagnosis for your situation will give you a platform to make positive changes in your life.

Conditions marked * can be life-threatening, while others will affect your physical and mental health in many ways.

Managing Dysania

Dysania should be managed medically, but you can also do some practical things to manage your symptoms. These include:

Speak with your GP: Your GP can prescribe medication and recommend therapies that will help you overcome your symptoms.
Stretch before bed: Aches and pains in the morning can make you reluctant to get up. Stretching before bed will help your muscles relax.
Stay away from your smartphone: Turn your smartphone off a few hours before bedtime and use an alarm clock instead. This will stop you from reaching for your phone first thing in the morning.
Jump out of bed right away: When your alarm goes off, don't give it five more minutes. Jump out of bed right away to start the day.
Follow a sleep routine: Good sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. Make it a mission to close your eyes at X time and don't stray beyond it.
Read a book before bed: Reading a good book before bed will take your mind off your worries and make your eyes heavy, helping you fall asleep.
Make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature: A cold bedroom in the morning can make you hesitant to get out of bed. Setting your thermostat to come on half an hour before you get up will keep things nice and toasty.

Dysania's link to depression and anxiety

Dysania is linked to depression and anxiety. Individuals with Dysania find it hard to leave their bed and miss their bed when out of it.

There is also a link between antidepressants and fatigue, which increases the desire to stay in bed. In one study, more than 90% of people with major depressive disorder were fatigued in the morning, and 80% were on antidepressants.

Dysania symptoms

Dysania manifests as an intense desire to stay in bed without sleeping, perhaps to avoid starting the day due to stress or seeing people. The reasons behind Dysania differ, but it can also be a subconscious response to anxiety.

Symptoms of Dysania include:

Sadness and crying in the morning
Intense sleepiness in the morning
Anxiety and stress about leaving the bed

Is Dysania laziness?

Dysania is not the same as laziness. Whereas Dysania is a feeling of anxiousness and stress about getting out of bed, laziness is choosing to stay in bed because it's the easy thing to do that day. Being lazy is a choice; having Dysania isn't!

Is Dysania tiredness?

Tiredness is created by a lack of sleep or too much low-quality sleep. Dysania can happen following good sleep and high-quality sleep. While tiredness can be a symptom of Dysania, Dysania is a different thing entirely.