Next Steps

Outlook

• Problems in children with narcolepsy include poor school performance, social impairment, ridicule from peers, and dysfunction in other activities of normal childhood development.

• Adults often perceive narcoleptic symptoms as embarrassing, and social isolation may result.
  
  
  • They may encounter interpersonal stress in relationships, sexual dysfunction, and difficulty working because of the condition itself or its treatment.
    
    
  • They may experience job impairment from sleep attacks, memory problems, cataplexy, interpersonal problems, and personality changes. These symptoms may lead coworkers to perceive them as "lazy."
    
    
  • Persons with narcolepsy are sometimes falsely suspected of illegal drug use.
    
    
  • Persons who are taking stimulant medications should inform their employers, because they may test positive for amphetamines on screening drug tests.
    
    
  • Persons with narcolepsy are at an increased risk for automobile accidents.
    
    

• Left untreated, narcolepsy may be psychosocially devastating. However, with proper management and treatment, persons with narcolepsy usually lead meaningful and productive personal and professional lives.