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    Here's What People With Sleep Disorders Want You To Know

    It affects every aspect of your life.

    We all know what it's like to function on a night of poor sleep. But what is it like to live with a sleep disorder?

    We asked members of BuzzFeed Community what it's really like to live with a sleep disorder — and here's what 15 of them said:

    1. Narcolepsy can affect your home life, work life, and everything in between.

    2. Sometimes, the strongest coffee won't even make a dent in your energy levels.

    3. And a few side effects might include weight gain and mood swings.

    4. For some, excessive sleepiness isn't just sleeping in after your alarm clock goes off; it can mean sleeping for days at a time.

    5. When you live with REM Behavior Disorder, your body might act out your dreams, even the violent ones.

    6. Stimulants are one way some people with Major Somnolence Disorder can stay awake enough to hold down a job.

    7. Significant sleep deprivation due to insomnia might make you start hearing things.

    8. ...And make daily tasks like driving a dangerous activity.

    9. For some cases of insomnia brought about by social anxiety, therapy might help.

    10. People who experience sleep paralysis sometimes see dark figures around the room and on top of them.

    11. Night terrors can involve hyper-realistic dreams of plane crashes, active shooters, and even heartbreaks.

    12. Many people with a delayed circadian rhythm need to schedule their entire lives on a later schedule.

    13. It's true that grinding your teeth at night is loud and disturbing to people around you, but on a personal level, it can also give you chronic headaches.

    14. Having a sleep disorder coupled with a mental health condition might make you privy to multiple mood-related symptoms.

    15. When you're constantly fatigued, you often have to fight through the public perception that you're just being lazy.

    Always consult with your doctor about your personal health and wellness. BuzzFeed posts are for informational purposes only and are no substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice.

    Submissions have been lightly edited for length/clarity.

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