The neuroscientist paralysed by love

Matt Frerking, 39, from Portland, Oregon, is left immobile if he even has a romantic thought or sees others showing displays of affection.
The affliction has been diagnosed as a combination of the chronic sleeping disorder narcolepsy with cataplexy, a sudden weakening of the muscles which renders the person temporarily immobile but still aware of their surroundings and able to hear.

For Mr Frerking the feeling that sparks an attack is love and being around his family can send him into a state of physical paralysis.
He is unable to put his arm around Trish, his wife of 13 years, and suffers attacks on anniversaries. He can suffer attacks several times a day
“Holding hands in public is something that we can do for a few seconds at most, and that’s about it,” Mr Frerking said.
“Putting my arm around her is something that I don’t do unless we’re sitting down and I know that it won’t matter that much if I just flop over. I have to limit those things very carefully.” During an interview with ABC News, he described having to avoid “warm and fuzzy” feelings before passing out after looking at photos in his wedding album.

Poor guy,his wife must be a real trooper.

It's hard to imagine what a relationship must be like for a person with such a problem.

The story continues at the link.

Sex? How?


Time for dirty talk....


So, I guess he's usually on the bottom?

What a terrible condition. I can't imagine.

You would think that for her, the marriage is like being with a talking blow up doll. Oddly enough people do marry those dolls so it isn't uncommon, but I don't think I could live like that. They might just be a couple that doesn't really like to be touched. If that is the case then they should be just fine.

I think if someone is nervous about a date then they should tell their existing friends about it, have a talk on the phone, even have a laugh about it, ask your friends for some tips. Quite frankly it applies to anything in life really doesnt it? All the tips above are great but your existing social network can ease the feeling of being alone which increases your vulnerability before you even step out the door.

If I had that with the way I feel about Michael, I'd be paralyzed for life.