The Narcolepsy Nerd Alert educational series covers a wide variety of topics to help people living with narcolepsy and their loved ones navigate both the medical journey and the social experience. Each topic of the Narcolepsy Nerd Alert series will be addressed first in a live broadcast, followed by a PDF toolkit, podcast, and social media shareables in order to accommodate the various learning styles of our diverse community. Sign up to receive Narcolepsy Nerd Alert e-updates!
Narcolepsy Nerd Alert Topics
Narcolepsy Roadmap
Navigating narcolepsy doesn’t come with a roadmap, but it should. What do you wish you’d known at diagnosis?
Becoming a Narcolepsy Advocate
Raising your voice is empowering, but how do you get started? And does advocacy make a real difference?
Narcolepsy + Brain Fog
Having issues with concentration and memory? You’re not alone. Let’s explore brain fog, automatic behavior, and micro-sleeps.
Friends + Family
Supporters mean everything! How can people with narcolepsy and their loved ones foster open communication and mutual support?
Narcolepsy Goes to Hollywood
TV and film characters seem to get narcolepsy at an alarming rate. Is all awareness good awareness?
Napping + Narcolepsy
Is napping an unwelcome symptom or a helpful treatment? Got “nap shame?” Let’s discuss.
Navigating School
Equitable education is a right, not a privilege. How can schools and families work together to ensure opportunities for students’ success?
Science of Narcolepsy
Science nerds, this one’s for you! Let’s dive into the neurobiology of narcolepsy and type 1 v. type 2 v. idiopathic hypersomnia.
Narcolepsy Around the World
How do geography and culture impact life with narcolepsy? Explore global perspectives on awareness, advocacy, and support.
New + Upcoming Treatments
Medical management is continuously evolving. Let’s discuss new options and exciting possibilities on the horizon.
Pregnancy + Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy symptoms and treatment interact with conception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding in complex ways. How do you decide what’s right for your family?
Health Insurance 101
Ever feel like navigating health insurance is a full-time job? You’re not alone. Tune in for healthcare coverage information, insights, and resources.
Narrating Narcolepsy
How do we capture the experience of living with narcolepsy in words? Authors share their perspectives on writing about narcolepsy.
Types of Narcolepsy
What distinguishes narcolepsy type 1, type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia? Can your diagnosis change? Hear the latest research and perspectives.
Narcolepsy at Work
Navigating the workplace with narcolepsy? Let’s discuss accommodations and practical tips for success.
Sleep Paralysis + Hallucinations
Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations and sleep paralysis can be confusing and scary. Let’s talk about why these happen and how to manage them.
Narcolepsy + Art
What’s your creative outlet? Artists discuss the relationship between their creative expression and their narcolepsy journey.
Could I Have Narcolepsy?
Wondering if you or a loved one could have narcolepsy? Join us to learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this often misunderstood neurological condition.
Coping with Cataplexy
Cataplexy is a unique form of muscle weakness experienced by some people with narcolepsy, but how can you recognize this symptom? What are the emotional triggers? And how do you cope with cataplexy?
Narcolepsy + Relationships
A special Valentine’s Day Narcolepsy Nerd Alert! Join us to discuss relationships with narcolepsy, from dating and early stages to long-term partnerships and marriage.
Talking to Your Doctor About Sleep Issues
Wondering how to talk about sleep issues with your primary care provider? Hear clinical and patient perspectives on discussing sleep issues and daytime sleepiness with general practitioners, and how to get referred to a sleep specialist.
Living with Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Perhaps you’ve heard of narcolepsy, but what about idiopathic hypersomnia (IH)? Join us to discuss this chronic sleep disorder, hear lived experiences, and learn how we can advocate for greater awareness, support, and treatment options for people living with IH.
Sign Up for Narcolepsy Nerd Alerts!
Whether you geek out about science, art, advocacy, or pop-culture—this community is for you! Sign up for e-updates about:
– Live Broadcasts
– Podcasts
– Video Recordings
– Printable Toolkits
Narcolepsy Nerd Alert Broadcasts & Toolkits
Watch video recordings of past Narcolepsy Nerd Alert broadcasts and download the corresponding toolkits by clicking on their covers.
About Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition that impairs the brain’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. It affects 1 in 2,000 people—200,000 Americans and 3 million people worldwide. Because of low awareness and misperceptions, there is an average of 8 to 15 years between narcolepsy symptom onset and diagnosis. Narcolepsy Nerd Alert aims to educate and empower the narcolepsy community.
About Julie: Julie Flygare, JD, serves as President & CEO of Project Sleep. In 2007, Julie was diagnosed with type 1 narcolepsy with cataplexy while in law school. Her experience inspired her to become an accomplished advocate, community leader, and the author of Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy. And yes, Julie is actually an award-winning geek, receiving WEGO Health’s “Geek Health Activist” award in 2014.