Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Hypersomnia (CBT-H)
Support and skills for Narcolepsy I, Narcolepsy II, and Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Hypersomnia: More to it than meets the eye
Jessica Fink, LCSW-S is a sleep specialist in Austin.
You cannot stay awake and alert when you want to.
Your sleep need never feels satiated no matter how much sleep you get. And you get a LOT of sleep.
You were called a good sleeper. World champion sleeper.
You got older and life got more demanding. Doctors attributed your sleepiness to stress or depression and recommended lifestyle changes. It took years to get an accurate diagnosis.
But now you know the reason for your excessive sleepiness: Narcolepy/Idiopathic Hypersomnia
So you were prescribed a medication. Maybe a couple. And they help a little but is that really all there is?
Hi! I’m Jessica and I’m a therapist in Austin who specializes in sleep issues, including hypersomnia disorders.
The standard practice for these disorders is medication: typically a stimulant to counteract the excessive daytime sleepiness and another medication for the cataplexy in the case of narcolepsy.
But we know the medications don’t fix everything. Most people Narcolepsy/IH still have a reduced quality of life even when on the appropriate medications. They also feel completely alone and misunderstood by their providers, friends, and family.
You’ve had your symptoms attributed to stress, depression, laziness even! You get told “we all get tired” or “must be nice to sleep all the time.” You see narcolepsy played for laughs in movies and TV.
Even with medication, you feel held back at school or work. Maybe you’re afraid to express any strong emotion because you lose your balance sometimes.
This group fills in the rest of what you need.
We meet Thursdays 9-10:30 over Google Meet. Reach out today to get started!