I'm going through something similar. I just changed careers due to my diagnosis and worsening symptoms. I was a personal trainer but dropping things gets dangerous. Now I'm working as a behavior therapist for autism. Afraid to let people in on my condition because I need this job to pay for my meds!

I agree; being misunderstood at work is never a pleasant experience.

Thank you I appreciate your feedback My HR team knows about my condition and I work in a fast pace, medical industry, so there’s not much opportunity to have an oopsey. I guess I am just afraid of discrimination. Most people don’t understand what it’s like to have narcolepsy except for what is portrayed the media. My fear is being undermined and misjudged. So I keep it to myself and only in my immediate circle of family and friends. I joined this group because I think I have a long way to go when it comes to self acceptance and confidence when it comes to narcolepsy. But I’m getting there and this site is wonderful because it makes you feel like you’re not alone.

Sharing health-related information with colleagues and coworkers can be tricky and challenging. Your employee handbook, policies, procedures, and protocols are valuable resources. If you haven’t noticed, your HR department, that might be a good place to start. However, I would be cautious about discussing health issues with staff members who may be competing for future promotions.

I’ve been employed with the same company for 25 years, so I might be overly cautious when dealing with people at work. I'm happy to share my experiences and thoughts on this topic if you'd like to discuss further.

People are only afraid of the unknown, and so please remember that you are your own best advocate. If we want others to be aware of the dangerous situations we face daily, please share anything you believe could be helpful to others. People often show compassion when they are aware and willing to recognize that someone has a health-related condition that could affect anyone at any developmental stage in life. Sending virtual hugs because we all need to know that someone cares enough to speak up.