One of the typical features of narcolepsy is sudden loss of muscle tone. The individual loses all muscle control including speech that may last a few seconds to a few minutes. The body appears floppy and the individual just collapses. This condition known as cataplexy may be triggered by intense emotional conflicts like anger, fear, surprise, excitement, or stress. The rate of cataplexy is variable.
However, most individuals (80%) with narcolepsy experience cataplexy. This may range from 1-2 episodes a year to several a day.
During sleep, some individuals with narcolepsy may also become paralyzed (sleep paralysis). These individuals may not be able to speak or move. These sleep paralysis episodes do last a few minutes but can be very frightening to the observer. The individual may have no idea what has happened.
Sleep paralysis does not occur in all patients with narcolepsy and is most common in early adulthood.
Another feature of narcolepsy is hypnagogic hallucinations. Because of the distortion in the sleep wake cycle, some individuals dream while being semi awake.
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