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EDS consists of almost constant tiredness, lack of energy, and sleepiness. The individual has to expend great
effort to remain awake, but even if s/he succeeds in staying awake, the person is so sleepy that s/he is unable to perform
tasks competently. When the urge to sleep is so acute, the person sometimes appears to be dazed, drunk, or glassy-eyed
with a blank stare. It is sometimes helpful for this person to take a nap before attempting to complete complex tasks.
The individual may also experience sleep attacks and fall asleep unexpectedly and frequently. If s/he fights
sleep and does not take a nap, sleep may suddenly overcome him/her without warning. S/he can also suffer 'micro-sleeps'
frequently without being aware of having slept briefly. The individual may drift into sleep for 20 or 30 seconds while
engaging in a conversation with someone, especially while the other person is talking. When s/he regains consciousness
10-30 seconds later, the person realizes that s/he is 'out of synch' with the content of the conversation, causing
everybody present to look at them in surprise or amusement. The individual can have a micro-sleep when s/he is talking,
standing up, or driving a car, which can cause an accident. A person having these sleep attacks and micro-sleeps may
have Narcolepsy or Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). An important characteristic of Narcolepsy is
that the person sometimes wakes up feeling refreshed and able to function
relatively normally for a while. It is hard for most people to accept excessive daytime
sleepiness as being out of the person's control. Others present may see the person's sleepiness as rudeness, a rejection,
or evidence of a lack of interest. Family members associate the person's excessive sleepiness with their normal experience
of sleepiness and assume that the individual could "fight it off" if he or she really wanted to, or get more sleep at
night so they are not tired in the daytime. Family members must clearly understand that this symptom is beyond the
person’s control or willpower. This point must be strongly emphasized with family and friends so that they do not assume
the person is lazy and unmotivated. Even family members with a rudimentary understanding of the disorder often conclude
that the patient "just isn't trying hard enough". Even more confusing, a person with narcolepsy may be able
to stay awake, attentive, and lively on some occasions, especially after taking a little nap. Family members who see the
individual responding energetically to an exciting experience or situation tend to mistakenly believe that the individual
should always be able to maintain the same level of alertness. This is incorrect. Assuming that the person with narcolepsy
could fight it off if he really wanted to is as inaccurate as assuming that no one ever needs sleep because some people
are able to stay awake for long periods during unique situations (Christmas Party) or emergencies like a hurricane or fire.
The symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness must be acknowledged as symptoms of a sleep disorder or another
medical condition, and not signs of laziness or a willful lack of effort. The physician or sleep specialist need to teach
and counsel family members so that they can be more compassionate and supportive to the individual with EDS. Furthermore,
any child or adolescent exhibiting EDS should be screened for the major pediatric sleep disorders by going to
www.Sleepdisorderhelp.com and clicking onto the “Screening by Parents” menu and then completing the Sleep Disorder
Inventory for Students. You will obtain a graph and report that will show you the probability of your child/teen having
any of the major sleep disorders and include intervention ideas for your child or adolescent. If your child/teen has a
sleep disorder that is corrected, it is likely that his/her academic performance will improve, as well as behaviors.
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