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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff
Public misunderstanding of the condition
Narcolepsy may cause you to experience serious problems in both your professional and personal life. Others may perceive your condition as lazy, lethargic or rude. Your performance may suffer at school or work.
Interference with intimate relationships
Narcolepsy can affect intimate relationships. Extreme sleepiness may cause low sex drive or impotence, and people with narcolepsy may even fall asleep while making love. The problems caused by sexual dysfunction may be further complicated by emotional difficulties. Intense feelings, such as anger or joy, can trigger some signs of narcolepsy, causing affected people to withdraw from emotional interactions.
Physical harm
Sleep attacks may result in physical harm to people with narcolepsy. You're at increased risk of a car accident if you have an attack while driving. Your risk of cuts and burns is higher if you fall asleep while preparing food.
