Narcolepsy: A Funny Disorder That's No Laughing Matter

Originally I Rate This A Four Based On TheExample Being All Her Examples Were From Her Life.Now I Feel Following One Persons Personal Journey Makes Me Feel LessAlone And More Capable. If You Are Scared And Confused, Do YoItself A Favor Get This Book(Old Review)There isn't a great deal of information specifically about narcolepsy. Pretty much its aIlways mixed into "sleep disorders". But its more than just that. This lady gives you her personal experiences with narcolepsy. Although she encourages trying to find the humor to save the tears she admits to sometimes giving into the tears. There is a lot a great information with in the book. My only problem is that even though the information is given about all of it, hers is the only point of view to really see it from. So when it is fimiliar its great but if you are in a different range of one of the conditions symptoms then you get information but no personalization. That said, I'm still very glad I bought it. It has taken a great deal of the fear away and feel like I can cope with what was so intensly scary before.

I wish I'd found this book sooner! In her book, Narcolepsy: A Funny Disorder That's No Laughing Matter, M.J. Utley gives a very candid & helpful overview of narcolepsy: the common symptoms, types of medications, typical experiences, etc. Relying on the professional expertise of doctors & specialists, the author writes in a very easy to read, "down-to-earth" way, while providing the reader with a practical vocabulary & a general familiarity with the disease. As a person with narcolepsy myself, I continue to find her book the first resource to which I turn, when trying to help others understand this disorder. Searching for a greater insight into narcolepsy? Trying to come to terms with your own diagnosis? Looking for a way to understand or support a loved one living with narcolepsy? This book is a great place to begin.

I liked that the book was very informative. It would be a good resource for others trying to learn about the disorder.

This book must be read by anyone who knows someone or has been diagnosed with narcolepsy, I only wish I would of read it ten years ago. It gave me a totally new look on my life with narcolepsy and cataplexy. I gave it to my doctor to read so she could understand my new outlook on my condition. I recommend buying one for yourself and one for your doctor, family and anyone else that you spend a great amount of time with so they can understand you and they way you have to live your life.

My husband has narcolepsy and it helped him as well as me understand many of his actions. It amazes me that he made it through high school let alone graduating from Purdue. I don't know that I could. It was what helped keep him alive in Viet Nam. It does run in his family but some of the people that have it have no incidences in their family trees.. Good book for more than the people with the disease.

I've used this book as a way to communicate the experience of narcolepsy to my friends and family. I read this book myself, and wrote notes in the margins when something resonated with me, or when something was really different from my experience. The book is definitely outdated, but it is easily the best description of what life as a narcoleptic is like. It really helped me to communicate the inexplicable.

Although this book is not new and was written quite some time ago, It contained a lot of useful information, especially about the author's personal experience in dealing with the disorder. Helpful to both the patient and especially to those that serve in a supportive role. It dealt with not only the physical challenges but the emotional ones as well. I felt it was well worth the price.

There does not seem to be too many books on Narcolepsy, the daytime sleeping disorder.And, it is interesting to read one on personal experience rather than a text by the experts. Covers diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and management, and possible causation factors. There seems to be no final conclusion from the professionals. But, this book is a great place to begin your personal research and perhaps enable those affected to seek out a realistic management program.

It took me a while (even) on Amazon to find anything which wasn't a medical student book on the subject of narcolepsy. As a 20 year old who has been diagnosed now for a year, this book is a great source for receiving all of the information together. The author also writes openly and honestly about her struggle, her decisions and the effects. The book is also useful for family members of the sufferer as it gives a greater understanding of what we go through everyday, most of which is not visible. In some areas the book is quite upsetting, especially if your just coming to terms with the disease, yet looking back, It is comforting to know that other people can live relatively enjoyable lives with the disorder.

A very informative and comprehensive look at the enigma that is Narcolepsy. I have learned more from this book than by talking to many specialists, although they may know the symptoms, they do not fully understand the impact this disorder has on someone`s life. Thoroughly recommended.

I think this must be the best book on Narcolespy I've read. Most of the book could have been written for me as it explaines Narcolespy in every aspect. IT IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS THIS DISORDER OR MIGHT THINK THEY HAVE. Excellent book.

Great book, easy to understand, great to give to affected family members to help them understand the symptoms & impact they can have on a person with narcolepsy & cataplexy

I have not been able to find a single other publication that offers insight not just into the physiological explanations of what narcolepsy is, but also a very personal account of what the condition means on a daily basis.