“Not knowing whether I was actually fully awake or not was terrifying.”– Matt
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What Are Other Symptoms of Narcolepsy?
In addition to excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, people living with narcolepsy often report other symptoms.
Disrupted nighttime sleep, hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis are also possible symptoms of narcolepsy. These symptoms can have a significant impact on day-to-day life. Learn more about living with narcolepsy »
What Is Disrupted Nighttime Sleep?
In addition to falling asleep during the day, people living with narcolepsy may also have trouble sleeping through the night.
What Are Hypnagogic/
Hypnopompic Hallucinations?
Vivid hallucinations can happen on the edges of sleep.
What Is Sleep Paralysis?
Moving may be impossible when falling asleep or waking up.
What seemed like an eternity was probably a couple seconds. It felt like the covers were burying me, like I could barely breathe.
Sharon, living with narcolepsy
For many people living with narcolepsy, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations can happen at the same time.
Narcolepsy Symptoms Can Include Sleep Paralysis, Hypnagogic Hallucinations
Emily, Sean, Sharon, & Scott
Narcolepsy symptoms can go beyond excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. People living with narcolepsy share their experiences with hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and disrupted nighttime sleep.
Narcolepsy symptoms can go beyond excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. People living with narcolepsy share their experiences with hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and disrupted nighttime sleep.
It’s important to tell your healthcare provider about all signs and symptoms, even if they seem insignificant. Find out how other people living with narcolepsy prepare for an appointment »
Vivid dream-like experiences that occur while falling asleep or while waking up.
Occurs at night and includes dreams; muscles are not active to prevent people from acting out dreams.
People with type 1 narcolepsy can be diagnosed by their cataplexy or low levels of hypocretin (also known as orexin).
The cause of type 2 narcolepsy is unknown.
Restorative sleep state with decreased muscle tone.
Daytime and evening habits to improve sleep.
Brief total loss of voluntary muscle control when falling asleep or while waking up.
Also known as orexin, hypocretin is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that helps maintain wakefulness and prevent non-REM sleep and REM sleep from occurring at the wrong time.
Unintentionally falling asleep due to excessive daytime sleepiness; “sleep attacks.”
The inability to stay awake and alert during the day; a constant need for sleep or unintentionally falling asleep.
A naturally occurring chemical in the brain that helps maintain wakefulness.
Vivid dream-like experiences that occur while falling asleep or while waking up.
Frequent shifts between different states of sleep and wakefulness at night.
Difficulty focusing or concentrating.
Brief loss of muscle tone with retained awareness, often triggered by strong emotions.
Performance of routine tasks without awareness or memory.