Psychosocial Aspects of Narcolepsy

This groundbreaking book focuses on the impact narcolepsy has on a person’s day-to-day life. It addresses the diagnosis, treatment, and management of narcolepsy with particular emphasis on psychological and social aspects of care. A multidisciplinary team of nationally and internationally respected scientists, researchers, and clinicians discuss the detrimental effects narcolepsy has on interpersonal relationships, employment, education, recreation, and other aspects of everyday life, from driving an automobile to sexual relations. Narcolepsy’s effects on these and other daily activities are often neglected in the study of the disorder. This book brings into focus the personal and social costs of narcolepsy and discusses the often enormous impact that narcolepsy can have on a person’s self-esteem and quality of life.

Typically it takes about fifteen years for a person to be accurately diagnosed as having narcolepsy. Psychosocial Aspects of Narcolepsy is an aid to help caregivers and healthcare providers screen individuals with symptoms of daytime sleepiness and refer them promptly to appropriate professionals for diagnosis and help. The book helps these professionals find the most effective treatment methods and coping strategies for their patients who suffer from symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and hypnagogic hallucinations. Informative chapters address a wide variety of pertinent issues, including:

• differential diagnosis and treatment of narcolepsy

• the special needs of persons with narcolepsy

• a sociomedical model for a narcolepsy counseling service

• the psychosocial impact of narcolepsy on the individual and the family

• sociodemographic variables in narcolepsy

• the quality of life of persons with narcolepsy

• the diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial consequences of sleep apnea

• the legal aspects of narcolepsy

• narcolepsy’s profound impact on children

  This vital resource enables physicians and other health professionals to give optimum, comprehensive care to individuals suffering from narcolepsy. Full of informative studies and helpful coping strategies, Psychosocial Aspects of Narcolepsy belongs on the desk of every person who wants to understand the impact of narcolepsy more thoroughly and who wishes to improve the quality of life of those with the disorder.