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Is Narcolepsy a Disability?
The legal classification of narcolepsy as a disability varies from country to country, but in the United States there are specific laws that protect people who are narcoleptic. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act both require that employers accommodate narcoleptics. Narcoleptic individuals can also secure financial assistance through social security disability insurance or the supplemental security income program. Despite legal recognition of this condition as a potential disability, the extent to which an individual is actually disabled by his or her narcolepsy depends on many factors.
Narcolepsy is not a mental illness, but rather a nervous system disorder that causes extreme daytime drowsiness every three to four hours. These periods of sleepiness can interfere with many routine activities. Those with severe symptoms may not be able to work, drive a car, or go to school.
It is rare for a narcoleptic to suddenly fall asleep during the day despite the fact that this is how the disorder is typically portrayed by the media. Most attacks last less than 15 minutes. Many narcoleptics lead productive lives thanks in part to treatments such as medications and lifestyle changes that control symptoms. Ultimately, only the individual with narcolepsy can determine how disabling his or her condition truly is, if at all.
Regardless of whether an employer views narcolepsy as a disability, the ADA protects narcoleptics from discrimination. As long as a person with narcolepsy can perform the essential duties of his or her job, an employer cannot treat him or her differently because of the condition.
The Family and Medical Leave Act also provides accommodations for narcoleptics who work for employers with more than 50 employees. This law requires that such employers allow an employee with a condition like narcolepsy to take unpaid leave. If necessary, a family member can also be granted unpaid leave to care for a close relative who is narcoleptic.
For the purposes of social security, narcolepsy may be considered a disability. For individuals with severe symptoms, narcolepsy may prevent them from working. In such cases, narcoleptics can qualify for social security disability benefits. An attorney experienced in narcolepsy cases can best help an applicant to obtain these benefits.
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![People with narcolepsy might have trouble performing routine tasks.]()
By: SabphotoPeople with narcolepsy might have trouble performing routine tasks. -
![Narcolepsy is not a mental illness, but rather a nervous system disorder.]()
By: Andrew LeverNarcolepsy is not a mental illness, but rather a nervous system disorder. -
![Narcolepsy can impact productivity at work.]()
By: vladimirfloydNarcolepsy can impact productivity at work. -
![People who attempt to drive with narcolepsy can cause a severe accident.]()
By: Duncan NoakesPeople who attempt to drive with narcolepsy can cause a severe accident. -
![Narcolepsy can prevent people from going to sleep on a desired schedule.]()
By: eugenepartyzanNarcolepsy can prevent people from going to sleep on a desired schedule.
Discussion Comments
Narcolepsy, Cataplexy and Sleep Apnea have totally ruined my life, I don't know who I am anymore, its emptied my brains, I walk around in a dimensional drift going from one room to another and never sure why. Did I go in for something? Maybe I went to sit down. Who knows? I can sleep uninterrupted for three days at a time in my little semi-coma, then all at once I feel the heavy fog rising and lifting my mood back up to its basic primitive level.
I can't read a book anymore. Once I put it down, I have to go back to page one again because I can't remember a thing about what I've read. My coordination stinks and the cataplexy turns me into a baby. I drop everything I touch, I slur my words, stagger, fall down, I get halfway back up with help from a chair arm and the weakness kicks back in so back down I go.
I don't go out anymore. If some idiot with a camera was filming me, he'd be back home and have it loaded up on YouTube before I got to my feet. I'd be labeled under the ''Drunken People Videos'.' The farthest I go is the back yard, but there's no respite there, either. My caregiver has found me fast asleep in the shed before now. Depressed? You bet. I'm that low I'm reaching up to touch the bottom. I've also got arthritis, fibromyalgia, and a bunch of other problems, and the pain doesn't help on top of it all.
I've thought about ending it all in the past, but whoa! I might not have much of a life, but I've got four beautiful rescue dogs, and they give me a reason to force myself up each day. Three of them have no eyes. They had them kicked out by the evil ones in Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. I know how much they need me, I know how much they love me, and I'm going nowhere. I would not desert them like some other low life did. So I am kinda trapped on Earth feeling very different from everyone else around me. I do not feel sorry for myself. I just wish it would give me a break now and then. I have a review in mid January.
I made my employer aware of my diagnosis last year and have been written up for not being at work on time even after explaining what's going on and having changed medication three times. Shift work is very hard to do with this kind of diagnosis.
Dealing with narcolepsy and a heavy work load would be tough. If you have this or any of the other many sleep disorders, talking with your employer many help him or her understand the issues you are facing. If you don't get the support you need, filing for disability would be an option.
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