![]() ![]() These people, however, will not have cataplexy.Īs a result, narcolepsy can cause significant problems with all aspects of life including school, work, relationships and home life. People without narcolepsy sometimes have sleep paralysis and/or hypnagogic / hypnopompic hallucinations especially if they are extremely sleep deprived. ![]() Up to 60% of those with narcolepsy have these experiences, often frightening. These are also thought to be examples of REM sleep (in this case dream content) intruding upon wakefulness. Hallucinations may happen upon falling asleep (hypnagogic), or upon awakening from sleep (hypnopompic). People often worry that they are going “crazy” and are worried to mention these symptoms. seeing bugs on the walls, or hearing noises in the home. Hallucinations: Vivid and frightening hallucinations, e.g.60%) will experience this symptom, but this can also occur in those without narcolepsy. The paralysis is thought to be REM muscle paralysis intruding upon wakefulness. It can be a terrifying experience, and usually occurs often upon awakening from sleep, or just before sleep. Sleep paralysis: Periods where one feels suddenly unable to move, or speak, or sometimes even breathe for seconds or minutes, though it often feels much longer.Cataplexy is very specific to narcolepsy - it is rarely seen in those without narcolepsy. ![]() Up to 70% of those with narcolepsy have cataplexy, which can manifest together with daytime sleepiness, or develop later, even 5-10 years after sleepiness occurs. Cataplexy is thought to be related to the muscle paralysis of REM sleep intruding abnormally in wakefulness. People may fall to the ground because of the knees buckling, misleading some observers to believe that the person has fainted or had a seizure, but unlike these disorders, consciousness is maintained throughout the spell. These attacks last from a few seconds to several minutes. Some people experience full-body episodes where they are unable to move or verbally communicate. Examples of muscle weakness include knees buckling, or the head drooping, or even speech becoming slurred because of an inability to move muscles necessary for speech. Triggers include laughter, surprise, anger, extreme happiness or sadness. ![]()
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