You may fall asleep occasionally when you sit down if you don’t get enough high quality sleep.

Falling asleep regularly when you sit down, however, may be a symptom of a sleeping condition that could require medical attention.

Falling asleep regularly when you sit down may be a symptom of hypersomnia, a sleeping condition characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), some sleep, mental, and physical conditions may be associated with hypersomnia, including:

Having a circadian rhythm disorder (CRD) may also lead to excess daytime fatigue, which might cause falling asleep when you sit down. CRDs are often caused by changes that affect your daily routine, such as traveling frequently or alternating between working day shifts and night shifts.

Is falling asleep when sitting down a sleeping attack?

Sleeping attacks are associated with a sleeping condition called narcolepsy, a chronic neurological condition that affects the nervous system.

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime fatigue, drowsiness, and a strong urge to sleep. These feelings often come on suddenly in episodes, or “attacks,” that may last up to a few minutes.

Some people experience sleeping attacks from time to time, while others may experience multiple daily. These attacks are more likely to occur when you sit down, but they can also happen when you’re performing tasks like walking, gardening, and driving.

Some lifestyle factors may cause you to feel more tired during the day or to fall asleep when you sit down.

For instance, drinking too much alcohol could lead to someone passing out, or falling asleep.

Taking medications that cause drowsiness, living a sedentary lifestyle, and not getting enough sleep at night may also cause daytime fatigue and increase the risk of falling asleep when you sit down.

The NHS recommends speaking with a doctor if you fall asleep regularly throughout the day or if your daytime sleeping patterns impact your quality of life.

A doctor could assess the possible lifestyle and medical factors contributing to you falling asleep when you sit down and help you develop a treatment plan. Treatment may include a combination of:

  • sleep hygiene tips, such as going to bed at the same time every night
  • lifestyle factors, such as exercising during the day
  • dietary factors, such as limiting caffeine and alcohol before sleep
  • modifying a medication plan for any underlying conditions
  • prioritizing sleep

A treatment plan could help you feel more energized and prevent you from falling asleep when you sit down.