Not all people with narcolepsy experience cataplexy.Ĭataplexy is emotionally triggered transient muscle weakness. CataplexyĬataplexy also raises the risk of accidents while driving.
Some sources suggest that over half of people with the condition have fallen asleep while driving and that more than 1 in 3 people with the condition have had an accident. These episodes can last for seconds or minutes, which makes driving especially dangerous. Sleep attacks occur when a person falls asleep suddenly and without warning, often in people with narcolepsy. The sections below look at each of these risks in more detail. This is due to the excessive daytime sleepiness, the onset of sleep attacks, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis. People with narcolepsy are at higher risk of experiencing sleep-related accidents while driving than the rest of the population.
An MWT is the most common evaluation to determine a person’s level of alertness, though experts advise caution in applying MWT as a predictive measure for driving risk. There are currently no established guidelines for determining how appropriate driving is for a person with narcolepsy. A doctor may order a maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) to ascertain how well a person is able to remain awake during activities such as driving. Some people with severe narcolepsy may not be able to drive at all. Most states do not list narcolepsy as a reason to revoke a person’s license, though some do name it as a condition that may affect the ability to drive. Some states also allow for family members or professionals to submit concerns to the Department of Motor Vehicles. In the United States, most states employ a voluntary procedure for people to determine their medical ability to drive. However, the condition raises the risk of impaired driving, and studies consistently show decreased driving performance among people with the condition.
Many people with narcolepsy are able to drive, technically and legally. Share on Pinterest DuKai photographer/Getty Images
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