According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, everyone with narcolepsy has some sort of daytime sleepiness symptoms. However, it’s the severity and variation of sleepiness that you have to pay attention to. In many, it is so intense that people frequently and unintentionally doze off while sitting in a class, riding in a car, or watching a movie.
This intense and persistent sleepiness often leads to inattentiveness and drowsiness. Sometimes, people with narcolepsy can have “automatic behavior” in which they continue an activity, such as driving or taking notes in class, with little to no conscious awareness.
So, how can you tell if you have the sleep disorder? Sleep experts attribute symptoms of narcolepsy to a lack of hypocretins, key brain chemicals that help sustain alertness and prevent REM sleep from occurring at the wrong times, and poorly regulated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Check out 4 warning signs for the sleep disorder, narcolepsy:
Cataplexy
About half of all people with narcolepsy have cataplexy. This is sudden, temporary episodes of muscle weakness that can be triggered by intense emotions. These may include excitement, laughter, anger, and
fear. The frequency of cataplexy varies. Some people may have it several times per day. Other people may experience it a few times per year.
Hallucinations
Many people with narcolepsy have vivid hallucinations just as they are falling asleep or waking up. Hallucinations can also occur in people with narcolepsy. This is because dreaming is typically part of REM sleep. Some dreams are so lifelike that it can be hard to tell them from reality.
Sleep Paralysis
This is an inability to move or speak while falling asleep, sleeping, or waking. It can happen as someone is drifting off to sleep or waking up and usually lasts no more than a minute.
When sleep paralysis first occurs, it can be quite frightening, especially as it sometimes includes a sensation of having difficulty breathing. Most likely, this is caused by an intrusion into wakefulness of the normal paralysis that occurs during REM sleep. It can even occur in people who don’t have narcolepsy too.
Inconsistent Sleep & Insomnia
People with narcolepsy are very sleepy during the day, yet many have trouble sleeping through the night. They may experience a form of fragmented sleep which is an inconsistent wake pattern of up to several times a night, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes. The spurts of waking up during the night then lead to worsened daytime sleepiness.
If you get diagnosed with narcolepsy, know that it is not a terminal handicap. Living with narcolepsy can be challenging, and it can also be stressful too. Having episodes of excessive sleepiness and possibly injuring yourself or others during an episode can be scary. Consult with your doctor and find the best treatment to manage your narcolepsy to live a long and healthy life.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
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