Living with Narcolepsy

I was finally diagnosed with narcolepsy at 50 years of age, which is a disgrace , given the fact that I became aware of the existence of narcolepsy about 30 years ago and started asking doctors about it. Not one of them would consider it as a possibility. I have been laughed at, scolded for wasting doctors’ time, made fun of, called a hypochondriac, accused of lying about symptoms to get attention, and misdiagnosed six ways to sundown!

I don’t know how old or how young I was when I fell into this barrel of laughs. because I’ve been this way as far back as my memory goes. Even as a child, I was called lazy, careless, unmotivated, irresponsible, and good for nothing. No child should have to endure being made to feel that worthless. And the insults only get bigger with age. Living with this criticism for 50 years will make you believe these things about yourself. After diagnosis, it’s hard to overcome such a negative self image, especially since the criticism doesn’t stop. Society continues to condemn us for our symptoms.