What Do You Wish People Knew About Narcolepsy?
I wish some people knew what it feels like to have it. Just for a day or two 😂.
That would sure improve the empathy factor, wouldn't it?! Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
I wish people took the time to understand it better instead of making jokes and not taking it seriously.
Thanks for sharing that, yes, we totally get that. There are so many misconceptions due to how narcolepsy has been portrayed by movies and tv shows. Warmly, Kristin (Team Member) 
Yes, that's really one of the most frustrating things isn't it! As Kristin said, the movies and TV shows can perpetuate this idea that narcolepsy is a joke. I think that the more we talk about it, the more we have an impact on this kind of thing changing. Luckily these kind of ableist portrayals are becoming less acceptable, although there are still ways to go with the media! Thanks for sharing, Best Wishes, Lauren (Team Member)
Hi
, thanks for sharing. Yes, we hear that a lot. Many people do not understand exactly what narcolepsy is. You might be interested in this article on of our contributors wrote to those without narcolepsy, I think it offers a great perspective: https://narcolepsy.sleep-disorders.net/living/dear-stranger/. Warmly, Kristin (Narcolepsy.Sleep-Disorders.net Team Member) 
I wish people knew that, just because you have narcolepsy, you're not necessarily going to just fall asleep without warning. Some people will, but others won't. It's a common misperception even within the PWN community.
I feel that. I am great at keeping awake. My problem is that I don't wake up once I'm asleep 😅. I also have automatic behaviour - I can literally do math in my sleep, we found out. I wish it was easier for my family to understand how difficult it is for me to wake up and not fall asleep within the first few minutes (where I don't have the energy to sit up and take my meds).
Also, people (including my doc) not believing me when I tell them that neither caffeine nor any medication I've tried so far made me anywhere close to addicted.
Yes, if I stop taking them (or the day after drinking a lot of caffeine), I am more a little tired than if I haven't taken them for a week. But I don't depend on taking them. If a energy drink makes me as awake as a pill, I can switch or just use neither. I just depend on having something to make me awake, so I can function.It must be incredibly frustrating when your own doctor doesn't believe you,
. I wish your family was more empathetic, but I do think it is hard for anyone who has not experienced narcolepsy to truly understand what it's like. Sometimes, it's best to simply admit to that lack of understanding and listen. Just be supportive. Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)
