NHS Choices Condition
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Having narcolepsy should not cause you any serious or long-term health problems. However, the condition can have a significant impact on your daily life, and it is not uncommon for those with narcolepsy to struggle to deal with it on an emotional level.
School and work
As narcolepsy can make you feel excessively drowsy during the day, you may find it difficult to concentrate at work or school.
Although narcolepsy does not affect intelligence in any way, children may find it difficult to keep up with their classmates or do their homework if they continually feel drowsy.
If colleagues at work or school do not understand your condition, they may perceive you as being lazy, lethargic or rude. Therefore, you should explain your condition to your friends, colleagues and your employer so that they have a better understanding of how your symptoms affect you.
Relationships
Some people with narcolepsy find that it affects their relationships. Excessive drowsiness can lead to you having a low sex drive and some men may find that they experience impotence (an inability to get an erection).
Emotional withdrawal
If you experience cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle control) as a symptom of narcolepsy you will often find that it is triggered when you experience intense emotions, such as excitement or laughter.
As cataplexy can be embarrassing and disorientating you may find yourself withdrawing from situations where your emotions are likely to be triggered. This can leave you feeling isolated.
If you have to stop driving because of your narcolepsy, it may also add to your feelings of isolation. Not driving may make it more difficult for you to get around and to socialise with others.
Contact your GP
If you are feeling depressed or low because of your narcolepsy, make sure that you tell your GP. They should be able to put you in touch with any relevant support groups or organisations, such as the Narcolepsy Association. Your GP can also offer advice and guidance about how you can minimise the effect narcolepsy has on your daily life.
view information about Narcolepsy on www.nhs.co.uk »Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
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