Living with Narcolepsy

Do you know someone living with narcolepsy? If you’ve ever thought you or someone close to you has this rare sleep disorder, it’s important to know you can work through day-to-day challenges with a good understanding of the condition and by finding the right strategies for you. Let’s take a closer look at what narcolepsy is, available treatment options, and ways to improve your sleep for healthy living.

What Exactly is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy affects how your brain is able to control sleep-wake cycles. That means people with narcolepsy often feel very sleepy during the day when they would expect to be alert and can have difficulties sleeping at night. Common symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions), sleep paralysis (where you can’t move or speak while falling asleep or waking up), hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up, and problems sleeping at night. There are two types of narcolepsy: type 1 narcolepsy with cataplexy and type 2 narcolepsy without cataplexy. Noticing and understanding these symptoms is the first step towards being diagnosed and treated by a sleep doctor and using successful daily strategies for better sleep and wakefulness. 

The Journey to Diagnosis

It often takes people living with narcolepsy years to be diagnosed, sometimes upwards of 15 years. Narcolepsy is commonly mistaken for other sleep disorders, cardiovascular, or mental health conditions because of the similarity of symptoms. The key sleep tests used by clinicians to help make a diagnosis include sleep lab tests like polysomnography (PSG), followed by a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) that uses scheduled naps. Sometimes cerebral-spinal fluid is tested for the presence (or lack) of orexin, a brain hormone that is mostly gone in people who have narcolepsy type 1. 

Treatment Options: More Choices Than Ever

Even if narcolepsy isn’t curable, the good news is it’s treatable and there are more options now than ever before. Here are medications that can help manage symptoms. 

• Medications that stimulate your central nervous system can help you stay awake during the day. 
• Antidepressants can help with cataplexy and other symptoms. 
• Oxybate medicines, in different formulations and dosing schedules, that are specifically approved for treating narcolepsy with both symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.

But it’s not just about medicines. Lifestyle changes and healthy sleep behaviors can make a big difference too. Keeping a regular sleep schedule, taking short naps during the day, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed can really help. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be helpful for dealing with sleep-related anxiety and building healthy sleep habits.

Improving Sleep Health for Overall Well-Being

Prioritizing your sleep health is essential for managing narcolepsy and feeling your best. Simple habits—like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and winddown routine, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and avoiding alerting screens before bed—can make a big difference. Regular exercise and a balanced diet with structured mealtimes also support better sleep and well-being.

People can live a full and rewarding life while managing the challenges of narcolepsy. With the right combination of medical treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and focus on healthy sleep habits, your condition doesn’t have to get in the way of being your Best Slept Self^®.

This content was produced independently by the National Sleep Foundation and supported by Avadel, a Gold sponsor of the 2025 Sleep Awareness Week^® campaign. Sponsored content is educational and not intended to promote products or services or make medical claims.

Avadel is a biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming medicine to transform lives.