Living with a sleep disorder can be an immense challenge, but Matthew Horsnell has proven that it is possible to create a life of resilience and hope. Matt has found success by prioritizing relationships in the same way he prioritizes his health, communicating his needs to his partner, and engaging in activities such as going on walks together. With the right support and understanding, anyone can make the best of their life and create strong relationships despite a sleep disorder. Don’t let your sleep disorder define you—you have the power to make the best of your life and create the relationships and lifestyle you desire.

He is a father of three and a trained speaker for the Rising Voice of Narcolepsy. Matt also works in rare disease field and works as a consultant for pharmaceutical companies and sleep research. He is living with type 1 narcolepsy (narcolepsy with cataplexy) and obstructive sleep apnea. His N1 symptom onset was before age twelve and he searched for a diagnosis for thirteen years. In addition to N1, Matt was also diagnosed with RLS. His OSA diagnosis was seven years following his N1 & RLS diagnoses.

Before diagnosis, Matt attended Belmont University studying Exercise Science. Matt serves as a facilitator for two weekly Wake Up Narcolepsy online small groups.

Matt is a trained Rising Voices of Narcolepsy speaker he is a leading legislative advocate for the sleep community with Project Sleep. He works in the rare disease field and as a consultant for pharmaceutical companies and sleep research.

In this episode. Dr. Yishan interviews Matthew Horsnell, a man with multiple sleep disorders who has figured out how to manage his daily challenges. He shares his story of living with multiple sleep disorders and the four pillars of recovering from narcolepsy.

"Nobody is born with a map of how to live life, and especially when you go sleep disorders into that equation, your road starts working and it's tough to know which way to go down." -Matthew Horsnell

Are you so sleepy that you cannot focus? Are you tired of getting through the day drinking coffee? Are you worried how your poor sleep may impact your health? Checkout Dr. Yishan Xu’s Insomnia Treatment Course!

WHAT WILL WE LEARN

02:06 - Matt’s background
04:09 - Depression and Sleep
05:25 - Confirmation of Narcolepsy
06:30 - Matt’s types of sleep disorder
09:25 - Project sleep - 4 pillars of Narcolepsy
16:49 - Prioritize relationships in the same way you prioritize health and time with family.
18:24 - Importance of safe space to talk about things.
23:01 - Recommended Books to read: Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy, Sleepy Head, Waking Matilda
28:09 - Disruptive nighttime sleep
29:41 - Different sleep disorders can easily be ignored
32:29 - Do something small helps
35:30 - Keeping it consistent

RESOURCES

Are you so sleepy that you cannot focus? Are you tired of getting through the day drinking coffee? Are you worried how your poor sleep may impact your health? Checkout Dr. Yishan Xu’s Insomnia Treatment Course!

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