Recognizing World Narcolepsy Day

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of World Narcolepsy Day, which will be observed globally on September 22nd. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition that affects about 1 in 2,000 people by impairing the brain's ability to regulate the sleep- wake cycle. Symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive sleepiness during the day, sudden episodes of muscle paralysis, sleep paralysis, confusing hallucinations, and a disrupted nighttime sleep. Due to an overall lack of public and professional awareness, accurate diagnosis of narcolepsy commonly takes between 8 and 15 years. Experts believe that the majority of people with narcolepsy are currently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions such as epilepsy, depression, and schizophrenia. More work is needed to deliver breakthroughs for patients impacted by this debilitating sleep disorder, and we must continue to support the important funding of medical research through the National Institutes of Health and public health programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. World Narcolepsy Day serves to raise awareness of the experiences and healthcare needs of the approximately 3 million people living with narcolepsy across the globe, including the 200,000 people with narcolepsy and their loved ones in the United States. By raising awareness of narcolepsy, we can reduce delays in diagnosis, combat stigma and misperceptions, and improve health outcomes for affected individuals. I ask all Members to join me in recognizing September 22nd as World Narcolepsy Day.

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