Comorbidities Awareness | Wake Up Narcolepsy

An Incomplete Picture

When most people think of Narcolepsy, they picture someone falling asleep unexpectedly. But the reality is far more complex.

People with Narcolepsy don’t just struggle with sleep, cataplexy, hallucinations and brain fog — they face a higher risk of other serious health problems that often go unnoticed and untreated. Research shows that Narcolepsy rarely exists alone. Instead, it is often met by a whole network of other health conditions called comorbidities.

People with Narcolepsy are much more likely to develop heart disease and high blood pressure. Their blood pressure doesn’t drop at night like it should, which means their heart and blood vessels never get a break. This constant strain adds up over years, creating real danger.

Mental health challenges are also common. Depression and anxiety affect a large portion of people living with Narcolepsy — not just because managing a chronic illness is hard, but because the same brain chemistry problems that cause Narcolepsy also affect mood and emotions.

Many people with Narcolepsy experience other sleep disorders, like sleep apnea (when breathing stops during sleep) or restless leg syndrome (sensations that make it hard to stay still). Imagine trying to manage one sleep disorder while battling two or three others at the same time.

Why This Matters

If you have Narcolepsy, you deserve to know the whole truth about your health risks. The condition you’re managing affects much more than your ability to stay awake — and understanding these connections could save your life.

That’s why this campaign exists.

We’re working to evolve the conversation about Narcolepsy from just “a sleep disorder” to the full picture of other health challenges that commonly occur. Because when patients, providers and the public understand the complete picture, symptoms can be recognized and managed early, treatment and care provided appropriately, and overall wellness is improved.