Narcolepsy: A Short Story

Narcolepsy! What is that? Sarah exclaimed. The doctor explained to Sarah in detail the effects of the disease, which is basically falling asleep at any time of the day. The “sleep attack” as he called it could last for just few seconds to many minutes. Sarah was dumbfounded. She remembered it all started in chemistry class, her favorite class. She just finished question forty-five on the chemistry exam, a stoichiometry question, the next thing she remembered was her professor walking up to her to ask if she was well- she had fallen asleep. Sarah was disturbed. How could she sleep in chemistry class, especially during a test? Though she was bothered, she quickly dismissed her fears attributing her tiredness to the soccer game of the night before. …show more content…
In addition, Sarah is an adolescent and is undergoing physiological changes that might have caused the sudden sleepiness. After 2 weeks, Sarah made an appointment to see a doctor. This definitely was not normal, and if it is she needed a professional’s assurance. She had slept after feeling overpowering drowsiness four times in two weeks. Sarah slept while playing during soccer practice. Sarah was in gloomy moods often and seemed to forget things more than before. Her night sleep was not as it used to be. Her sister heard her talking while sleeping and she had leg cramps while sleeping. Now in the doctor’s office, her fears were confirmed. She has a sleeping disorder. The only sleeping disorders she knew were insomnia, difficult breathing while sleeping, and sleepwalking. Sarah had never heard of a sleeping disorder which occurred during the day. Unfortunately, narcolepsy does not have a cure though there are treatments that the doctor prescribed. She hoped she gets better, at least she does not sleep in class anymore. With ongoing research, she is sure that soon there will be a