My mother has had narcolepsy for 40 years and was on Ritalin for most of that time. When I first started investigating the possibility of having ADD and was reading up on Ritalin, I began to think it couldn't be sheer coincidence that ADD and narcolepsy (neurologic sleep disorder with the 3 major symptoms of daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis and cataplexy) are caused by problems in the same area of the brain and helped by the same medication. I did a Google search and came across a few references to some research being done on a possible connection. One phd student who had narcolepsy and ADD herself was of the opinion that all narcoleptics had ADD as children. I was curious if any other ADDers had been diagnosed with narcolepsy or had someone else in their family with it. Knowing my mother as an adult only, I can certainly see some strong ADD traits, disorganized, piles of paper everywhere, etc...

Hi, I recently come across the same enlightenment of the depleated dopamine people in my faimly. My mother is also on ritalin for narcolepsy. and Her mother has recently died of parkinsons. .......... When I had a hysterectomy in June things. took a big turn for me and I started researching hormones and trying to figure out what was going on with me. It sure has lead me to some very interesting things.

Hello~
My husband has ADHD but also was dx a few years ago with narcolepsy. He has been on Ritalin for several years. I know that his father also had narcolepsy and from it sounds like, his dad also had the traits of ADHD but was never dx

Oh Yeah! Dad, Brother, and probably me too, but I haven't persued it.