Roleplaying Level draining?

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So... I was hosting a neverwinter nights game here the other day and the party faced minions of bhaal that caused level draining on hit and one player popped up an interesting question. How do you reasonably roleplay level draining? Is it something that touches the soul itself or just something which makes you feel weaker? The fact that it takes away performance is obvious but other than that what aspects of roleplay is involved with level draining? Opinions, expriences and advice on how to roleplay level draining are welcome in this thread, also if anyone knows official d&d guidelines for this it would also be welcome, I've been unable to find them myself.

 

Some of the undead, as I remember, are essentially suppose to make the PC forget their ability, they loose what they once knew, almost like forgetting what one had once learned in school. However this has no effect on memory of life events and who the character is (there's a different supernatural ability).

My level drained characters tend to feel is their mind is clouded and much of what they feel they should know is on the tip of their tongue, but they can never remember it.

However for likes of a succubus, it, for me, is more like something is sucking the very life from one's being and are in the process of dying or loosing their vigor.

 

A Clouded mind, a shakier hand, you'd know that you are performing at a less than optimal level. I would imagine that would be frustrating...

 

I disagree, it shouldn't be roleplayed as if you're suffering from an illness. No cloudy minds and shaky hands. You are indeed "level drained" in game mechanics but in the game you are just not good enough as you used to be which I think is a punishment enough for your character. Long-term level drains could result in some sort of psychological problem or disorder