Clinomania: disorder that causes excessive desire to stay in bed

When the desire to lie down, sleeping or not, is uncontrollable and starts to impair daily routine and social life, it is possible to be a rare disorder called clinomania. To understand more about the subject, psychologists André Lucas M. Gonçalves (CRP 08/25446) and Jackeline Corrêa (CRP 08/22340) explained what it is, what the symptoms are and how to differentiate from depression. Follow the article!

what is clinomania

According to psychologists, clinomania can be characterized as a disorder when it is attributed to an excessive desire to be in bed, significantly disrupting daily routine, such as in work, family and social relationships. Psychologist Jackeline reported that “clinomania is not declared a psychological or mental disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and is not present in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICD-11)”.

However, psychologist André pointed out that clinomania “can be configured as a contemporary psychopathological phenomenon, as the desire to stay in bed, even without feeling sleepy, has presented itself as a persistent clinical complaint, leading the subject to a chronic inability to dissent to the your desire for rest.” Below are the most common symptoms of clinomania:

• Excessive desire to lie down or sleep;
• Intense feeling of well-being and pleasure when in bed;
• The person avoids socializing to remain lying down;
• On cloudy or rainy days, the urge to stay in bed is even greater;
• Discomfort and irritability when having to get up.

Although clinomania affects people between the ages of 20 and 40, the condition also affects the elderly. For factors such as aging, body fragility and mobility problems can contribute to the appearance of this condition in this age group.

What causes clinomania

There are no specific causes, but there are situations that contribute to the development of clinomania. See some of them:

• Performing activities in bed: according to psychologist Jackeline, performing activities in bed can favor this condition in which “the individual begins to idealize the bed as a space for carrying out activities, such as reading, having meals and watching series and movies. In more serious situations, he may deny social encounters to remain lying down, using the weather and climate as an excuse”;
• Use of electronic devices: psychologist André reported that the use of computers and smartphones hours before bed and an uncontrolled sleep routine can increase the desire to stay in bed and develop the disorder;
• Behavioral factors: Jackeline explained that “people who suffer from clinomania report different reasons for wanting to remain lying down, these causes usually attribute the ‘bed’ as a ‘comfort zone’, a place protected from the outside world, a kind of womb or dome so comfortable that makes it impossible to get ahead”.

Psychologists have warned that the desire to lie down can become obsessive. The individual may deny the severity of their symptoms, starting to idealize the bed as a space for carrying out daily activities, impairing social life.

How to treat clinomania

The diagnosis of clinomania can be confused with other causes, such as organic parasomnias or depression. From the moment that the symptoms make it impossible for the person to live socially and fulfill everyday tasks, it is important to seek a psychologist. “The treatment seeks to lead the patient to discover the real reasons that led him to this condition, stimulating his social interaction, changing his sleep habits and elaborating a new sense of desire”, oriented Jackeline.

In addition, André mentioned the importance of maintaining a sleep routine, establishing a time to sleep, wake up and avoid using electronic devices while in bed. “Prefer to light the room with warm lights and, if possible, exercise and sunbathe during the day. This will help regulate your circadian cycle (biological clock)”, said André.

Clinomania X depression

Clinomania has a single symptom: the unwillingness to get out of bed. Depression, on the other hand, can present this symptom associated with others. According to psychologist André, “it can be said that clinomania is one of the symptoms of a depressive episode due to hypersomnia, normally linked to phobias and hypochondria”.

For the psychologist Jackeline “more acute cases of clinomania increase the risks for depression, as trying to remain a refugee in bed without social contact, which can generate problems related to social and relational life”. Thus, both highlighted the importance of consulting mental health professionals for the correct clinical diagnosis.

Clinomania in more severe cases, in addition to psychological follow-up, the association of drugs prescribed by a psychiatrist may be necessary. So watch out for symptoms and seek medical help as soon as possible. Enjoy and learn more about psychotherapy and its benefits for mental health.

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