This is often frightening but is not dangerous. Sleep paralysis is the temporary inability to talk or move when waking (or less often, falling asleep).

The person remains conscious throughout the episode. Episodes may be triggered by sudden emotional reactions such as laughter, anger, surprise, or fear, and may last from a few seconds to several minutes. Cataplexy is an episodic condition featuring loss of muscle function, ranging from slight weakness (such as limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles, or inability to speak clearly) to complete body collapse. In addition, night-time sleep may be fragmented with frequent awakenings.įour other 'classic' symptoms of narcolepsy, which may not occur in all patients, are cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnogogic hallucinations, and automatic behavior. Drowsiness may persist for prolonged periods of time. They are typically refreshing, but only for a few hours. These naps can occur several times a day. Daytime naps may occur without warning and may be physically irresistible. A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or to fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. The main characteristic of narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), even after adequate night time sleep.

Cataplexy and narcolepsy definition