![]() ![]() Low hypocretin depresses activity levels of these emotional brain centers, which may be the reason why many people with narcolepsy experience dissociative symptoms.Ī recent psychology study suggested that sleep interruptions are linked to dissociative symptoms. Hypocretin also attaches like a key in a lock to many brain regions that regulate mood and emotion. Researchers think that the body’s immune system destroys cells that make hypocretin, causing low hypocretin levels and the sleep disturbances of narcolepsy. However, people with narcolepsy have low levels of this hormone. The brain normally releases the hormone hypocretin, which plays a part in switching the brain’s sleep-wake cycles. With that, experts have suggested two other possibilities to explain dissociative symptoms in narcolepsy. However, research shows that people with narcolepsy do not tend to have more traumatic events than people in the general population. Many people in the general population develop dissociative symptoms from PTSD, which can be caused by a tragedy, accident, or crime. The Reasons Behind Dissociative Symptoms in Narcolepsy Although both depersonalization and derealization are very common in people with narcolepsy, this disorder can also happen when there is no underlying medical condition, like narcolepsy, to explain it. People with dissociative identity disorder often also experience dissociative amnesia and dissociative fugue.ĭepersonalization-derealization disorder makes a person feel detached and also like the world around them is not real. ![]() Each identity may have its own personality. Previously known as multiple personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder involves a person alternating separate identities. If someone with this disorder wanders away in a state of confusion, mental health experts call this behavior dissociative fugue. Dissociative amnesia is often linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but not to a medical condition like narcolepsy. Depersonalization-derealization disorderĭissociative amnesia is memory loss that is more serious than regular forgetfulness.A dissociation disorder is a mental health or psychiatric disorder that comes in three forms: Dissociation Disorderīecause people with narcolepsy have an underlying cause of their dissociative symptoms, they should not generally be diagnosed with a formal dissociation disorder. However, I haven’t lost sight of the fact that there is a lot of hope and help available.”Ībout feeling numb, one member said, “I’m so tired of all this … I’m numb mentally and physically.”ĭissociative Symptoms vs. My identity has been stolen.”Īnother member shared their mental health issues, noting, “I’m struggling with depression. They said, “Sometimes, it’s difficult to know what is real or if something was dreamed.” About loss of identity, a member reported, “Now I feel like I don’t know who I am. One member described dissociative experiences with derealization. I feel hazy and separated from my body,” said another member, regarding depersonalization. “Having a hard time differentiating between dreams and reality. One member said this about memory loss: “Things are getting foggy, and I am having a hard time remembering if I have done something or forgot to do something.” MyNarcolepsyTeam members can relate to these signs and symptoms of dissociation. Feeling numb or cut off from your emotions.Mental health issues like depression or an anxiety disorder.A feeling like things and people in the world are unreal (derealization). ![]() ![]() A sense of feeling detached, like you’re watching a movie of yourself (depersonalization).The National Alliance on Mental Illness lists six main signs and symptoms of dissociation: One member said, “I get caught up in my dream state … It can be terrifying! I live in two realities.” Another member confessed, “Some days, I don’t know if I dreamt or lived it.” MyNarcolepsyTeam members often talk about their dissociative symptoms, like feeling detached from reality. Treatment for this symptom centers around psychotherapy, improving sleep habits, and physical activity. It could also be that the sleep disturbance caused by narcolepsy leads people to dissociate.įortunately, treatment for dissociation is available. However, mental health researchers think that changes in the level of a hormone called hypocretin could lead people with narcolepsy to also have dissociative symptoms. Scientists are not completely sure how and why people with narcolepsy can develop psychiatric symptoms like dissociation. ![]()
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