Are You Awake?
Living with Narcolepsy
People think I'm lazy and sometimes rude. Or just don't care. I can see how they would get that impression from just looking at me. But people shouldn't be judged only on first appearances. I wish it was that easy to explain, but it's not. I have a sleeping disorder called narcolepsy. It's challenging to live with and has no cure at this time (Dement and Vaughan 205).
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. It is only diagnosed in one out of 2000 Americans (National Sleep Foundation). The main symptom is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness. When I am supposed to be awake, my brain tells me I'm tired. Even after adequate nighttime sleep, I still find myself falling asleep at inappropriate times and places. Some people also experience hallucinations, sleep paralysis, cataplexy--a sudden loss of muscle control, or automatic behaviors......
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