5 Choose the Right Career
As mentioned, those who know how to manage their condition should be able to continue with relatively normal lives. This includes holding down a normal career.
That said, there are some jobs that lend themselves better to bouts of collapsing than others. These collapses are called sleep attacks, or cataplexy, and don’t usually involve a loss of consciousness – simply a loss of muscle tone that causes the body to slump – as though sleeping.
Thereby, you should avoid repetitive jobs that put you in a position of compromised safety. For instance, construction work might not be a good choice – working on scaffolding and spending long periods drilling or hammering can be a recipe for disaster. Likewise, driving long distance should not be a part of your regular job.
There are many jobs that are much better suited, however. For instance, working in an office, or working from home, means that you will be less likely to get hurt during a sleep attack. Likewise, try to seek out work that you find interesting and naturally stimulating – to avoid letting it send you to sleep!