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. It is not uncommon for those with narcolepsy to struggle to deal with the condition on an emotional level.
School and work
As narcolepsy can make you feel very drowsy during the day, you may find it difficult to concentrate at work or school.
Narcolepsy does not affect intelligence, but children with the condition may find it difficult to keep up with their classmates or do their homework if they are continually feeling drowsy.
If colleagues at work or school do not understand your condition, they may perceive you as being lazy, lethargic or rude. Therefore, 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 the condition affects their relationships. Excessive drowsiness can lead to you having a low sex drive. Some men experience impotence (an inability to get and maintain an erection).
Emotional withdrawal
If you have cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle control) as a symptom of narcolepsy, you may find that it is triggered during intense emotions, such as excitement, laughter or anger.
As cataplexy can be embarrassing and disorientating, you may withdraw from situations where your emotions are likely to be triggered. This can leave you feeling isolated.
If you have to stop driving because you have narcolepsy, it may add to your feelings of isolation. Not driving can make it more difficult for you to get around and to socialise with others.
Depression
Inform your GP if you have narcolepsy and it is making you feel depressed or low.
They should be able to put you in touch with a narcolepsy support group or organisation, such as Narcolepsy UK. Your GP can offer advice and guidance about how you can minimise the effect that narcolepsy has on your day-to-day life.
