Supporting clients with disorders of hypersomnolence: patient perspectives and treatment approaches
15 June 2020
In this webinar Jac Tomlins provides a patient perspective of living with narcolepsy. Dr Simon Frenkel explains how to recognise important symptoms and understand the current medical treatments available. Dr Moira Junge discusses non-pharmacological approaches to support people experiencing hypersomnia disorders.
Hypersomnia disorders have symptoms of excessive sleepiness as the primary symptom, despite the presence of reasonable quality and timing of sleep at night. Hypersomnia disorders, such as narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, are commonly misdiagnosed, often taking 7-12 years from symptom onset to receive a diagnosis. This can be a very challenging and frustrating journey for people experiencing hypersomnia disorders. Although there is no cure for hypersomnia disorders, medications, and non-pharmacological approaches can help to manage the condition and improve people’s quality of life. The range of perspectives included in this webinar will paint a rounded picture of these conditions, the life experience of those who live with them, and the various treatment and management options available.
About the speakers
Dr Simon Frenkel is a Respiratory and Sleep Disorders Physician, working as a Staff Specialist at Western Health and also in private practice. Whilst he has expertise in all aspects of Sleep Medicine, he has a particular interest in non-respiratory sleep disorders. He is actively involved in sleep education, having been an invited speaker at state and national scientific meetings along with providing education to Advanced Trainees, General Practitioners and the wider community. He is actively involved in the Australasian Sleep Association, as co-chair of the Sleep Physicians Council and as a member of the Medicines sub-committee.
Dr Moira Junge has been an active Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) member for many years. She is a founding and current member of the Behavioural Management of Sleep Disorders committee within the ASA. She is also a board member with the Sleep Health Foundation. She is a registered Health Psychologist and a member of the Australian Psychological Society and holds membership within the College of Health Psychology. Health Psychology focuses on health behaviour change at an individual and population level. She has over twenty years experience as a clinician as well as being involved in research. Her areas of expertise include management of sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, management of chronic diseases, reaction and adjustment to illness issues and loss and grief issues.
Patient advocate
Jac Tomlins is a writer, consultant and advocate working in the area of diversity and inclusion. She delivers professional development training and provides strategic advice to a range of health, human and community services. Jac has Restless Leg Syndrome, acute sleep apnoea and narcolepsy. She was diagnosed with narcolepsy seven years ago, at the age of 50, although she can trace the onset back to falling asleep in class as a teenager. Managing her sleep-wake cycle involves significant medication and a huge amount of behind-the-scenes effort on a daily basis. Jac lives in Melbourne with her partner and three teenage children.
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