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Narcolepsy - Mental Disorder or Medical Problem?

Several years ago a woman emailed me for having narcolepsy listed as one of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) mental disorders. Her daughter had recently been diagnosed with this illness and she was incensed that it was listed with other "mental disorders," insisting that her daughter wasn't "crazy." After asking her not to "kill the messenger," I wrote an article about how in today's enlightened age, we still put such a negative stigma on mental disorders.

Our brains are a mental organ and anything that effects our brain is considered a mental issue. Therefore narcolepsy is an appropriate listing for the DSM IV. Here are the facts about narcolepsy:

Narcolepsy is a disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness, uncontrollable sleep attacks, and cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle tone, usually lasting up to half an hour).

Narcolepsy is the second-leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness (after obstructive sleep apnea). Persistent sleepiness and sleep attacks are the hallmarks of this condition. The sleepiness has been compared to the feeling of trying to stay awake after not sleeping for two or three days.

People with narcolepsy fall asleep suddenly—any-where, at any time, even in the middle of a conversation. These sleep attacks can last from a few seconds to more than an hour. Depending on where the sleep attacks occur, they may be mildly inconvenient or even dangerous to the person, particularly if they occur while driving. Some people continue to function outwardly during the sleep episodes, such as continuing a conversation or putting things away. But when they wake up, they have no memory of the event.

There is no cure for narcolepsy. It is not progressive, and it is not fatal, but it is a chronic disorder. The symptoms can be managed with lifestyle adjustments and/or medication.

People with narcolepsy must plan their days carefully. Scheduling regular naps (either several short, 15-minute naps or one long nap in the afternoon) can help boost alertness and wakefulness. A full eight hours of nighttime sleep should also be a goal. Exercise can often help people with narcolepsy feel more alert and energetic, although they should avoid exercising within a few hours of bedtime. Substances that contain alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine should be avoided because they can interfere with refreshing sleep and with daytime alertness.

For more on Narcolepsy and other sleep disorders Click Here to go to Psych-Net.com

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