Can Psychology Help with Narcolepsy?

Talked has partnered with Manse Medical to help Manse Medical patients access psychology support in addition to their sleep services. Manse Medical is a Victoria based medical clinic that specialises in sleep and respiratory care. They are also specialists in the field of narcolepsy.

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Helping patients to breathe well, sleep well, and live well

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While Australia does not have a national data registry that identifies how many people suffer from narcolepsy, medical researchers estimate that approximately 20-55 people per 100,000 worldwide may live with the condition.

What is Narcolepsy?

People with narcolepsy typically struggle with excessive daytime "sleepiness" and struggle to suppress this. As described by Manse Medical, "narcolepsy is a chronic neurological sleep disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. In most cases, it is caused by a deficiency of a neurotransmitter called hypocretin (also known as orexin). Hypocretin helps regulate wakefulness and REM sleep, and its deficiency in individuals can lead to the symptoms associated with the disorder."

Narcolepsy can be categorised by several symptoms:

• Strong daytime drowsiness: This can be despite a good night's sleep.

• Excessive daytime sleepiness: This leads to "sudden and uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during daily activities"

• Cataplexy: The sudden loss of muscle strength brought on by strong emotional triggers

• Sleep paralysis: The temporary inability to move or speak upon waking or falling asleep

• Vivid dreams: These are dreams that occur when falling asleep and can sometimes be unsettling

• Disrupted sleep patterns: These include waking frequently and difficulty maintaining consistent sleep

• Decreased cognitive function: These can include struggling with memory recall, attention span and overall cognitive function

Many people suffer from narcolepsy before it is diagnosed. If you believe you may suffer from this condition and need a diagnosis, you can receive a comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals with expertise in sleep disorders at Manse Medical.

What are common methods to treat Narcolepsy?

While there is no cure for narcolepsy, there is a range of ways the condition can be managed and treated. Manse Medical provides tailored treatment plans, including medication, lifestyle adjustments and management, supportive therapies and education.

These treatment plans can include:

• Medications - Medications are often prescribed to help narcolepsy symptoms. Stimulants can promote wakefulness and reduce sleepiness throughout the day.

• Scheduled Naps - Planned and strategic short daytime naps (10-20 minutes) can help combat excessive daytime sleepiness and improve alertness.

• Lifestyle Adjustments -Implementing healthy sleep habits like sleep schedules, comfortable sleeping environments, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and heavy meals close to bedtime, regular physical exercise and practicing good sleep hygiene can help some people manage their narcolepsy.

• Supportive Therapies - Psychological counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy can help implement changes and coping strategies while providing a safe place for emotional support.

• Education and Lifestyle Management - Learning about the ins and outs of narcolepsy can help an individual suffering from the condition to better understand triggers and navigate their daily routines, leading to improved wellbeing.

• Safety Measures - As narcolepsy can affect alertness and cause sudden sleep attacks, taking safety precautions is vital. This can include avoiding certain activities that can pose a risk during periods of sleepiness.

How can Psychology Help?

Psychology typically isn't the first step in treating narcolepsy, however, it is an "important part of treatment and learning to manage this complex condition". Dealing with continual exhaustion and sleep disruption can have significant impacts on someone's mental health and can impact the ability to work, study, drive and enjoy hobbies. This can oftentimes manifest into aggression, frustration or other behavioural problems that make daily tasks and human connections a challenge. Speaking to a psychologist who understands narcolepsy can play a critical role in managing and addressing the emotional and behavioural implications that the disorder can have. Psychologists can help you proactively manage a healthy lifestyle while living with narcolepsy and provide education on good sleep practices.

By implementing psychology into a narcolepsy treatment plan, patients can achieve better overall management of their condition which in turn, helps improve daily function and quality of life.

Using Talked to get Psychological Help:

1. Log into your account

2. Click "Find a Therapist"

3. Apply the relevant filters to your needs, make sure to tick "Sleep or Insomnia" under the 'Issues' filter to find therapists who can help with narcolepsy

4. Scroll through our list of therapists and select someone right for you

5. Click the green "Book Now" button to lock in your day and time

Through partnering with Manse Medical, Talked is committed to making the psychological aspect of narcolepsy treatment easy, efficient and personalised. We want to ensure that Manse Medical patients with narcolepsy receive the care they need, to navigate the complexities and challenges of this condition, thus improving quality of life.

Resources:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep-narcolepsy

https://www.haileymeaklimpsychology.com.au/narcolepsy/

https://psychcentral.com/disorders/narcolepsy-treatment

https://www.mynarcolepsyteam.com/resources/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-narcolepsy

https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-disorders/narcolepsy