Am I Narcoleptic?

Question

Is It true? Am I Narcoleptic? How can I tell? I'm often tried?

Answer 1

The only way to know for sure is to be diagnosed and you would need to see a neurologist for that. However, being tired does not mean you are narcoleptic! It is much, much more than that.

Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder where the brain can't regulate normal wake-sleep cycles. A narcoleptic will feel sleepy off and on during the day often actually falling asleep right where they are and no matter what they are doing! Usually it last for a few seconds to a few minutes but in extreme cases can last an hour. Since these episodes are unpredictable, they are really debilitating.

This is extremely rare and there is no cure. Medication, CNS (central nervous system) stimulants, is often prescribed. Usually, a patient is not allowed to drive until their symptoms are under control...for understandable reasons!

I had a friend with narcolepsy years ago. She had a note on her front door, that said, "shut the door", because she had some episodes when she was in the process of opening or closing it. Her fear was someone would enter her home while she was having an episode. She could laugh at it too. She overran her kitchen sink one day because she fell asleep before shutting off the tap. Medication changed her life for the better. So, if you suspect you have narcolepsy, please see a neurologist for diagnosis and treatment.