Sleeping Beauty Syndrome

I have sleep apnea so I am jealous of people who can sleep normally, or even more than 5 hours a nights. But I am not jealous of those who have a different kind of sleep disorder, one that makes them sleep too much. The rare sleeping disorder Kleine-Levin, nicknamed "Sleeping Beauty Syndrome", is something I was not aware of until reading about a teenage girl from Pennsylvania who has it about as bad as it can get.

The few who have SBS may go for a period of weeks, months or even years without experiencing any symptoms, and then they reappear with little warning. In addition to excessive sleeping, symptoms include disorientation, hallucination, child-like behavior, binge eating and periods of hyper sexuality when awake. Actually, the person who has this isn't really asleep, but rather in a kind of trance that is induced by an unknown brain malfunction.

Nicole Delien, 17, from Pennsylvania said she's missed out on past Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays and even the first family trip to Disney World. (I hope she missed the U.S. presidential campaign and election too. It almost put me in a coma too!) Her mom says Nicole will sleep 18 or 19 hours a day, and when she does wake up to eat, she said Nicole is in a sleepwalking state which she doesn't remember. Nicole frequently falls under sleep spells and wakes up in a confused state while sleepwalking. When awake, the person with SBS has a change in personality is changed. They most often appear childlike. When awake they experiences confusion, disorientation, complete lack of energy , and lack of emotions.

Hmmm It's sort of like a person who watches too much reality TV.
Well at least Nicole doesn't have to go through all the madness that the world has to offer. I think considering the way illness works, all politicians need to catch it. If we can give the politicians this Sleeping Beauty Disease I am confident no Prince Charming would ever appear to awaken them.