Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a life-long neurological illness, primarily characterized by sudden muscle weakness, persistent daytime sleepiness and/or vivid dreams.

Narcolepsy affects 250,000 - 400,000 Americans and symptoms may arise as early as the onset of puberty and continue throughout life. Narcolepsy may be hereditary, and a child with a parent having narcolepsy has a one in twenty chance of being affected. Symptoms may vary from mild to totally disabling and may appear suddenly or gradually over a period of years. With narcolepsy, a person's entire lifestyle is dominated by

excessive sleepiness resulting in a constant battle to remain awake. Sudden uncontrollable episodes may occur at any time or during any activity, such as driving, eating or talking. Concentration and memory recall may be greatly restricted by excessive daytime sleepiness and limited daytime alertness. Secondary psychological problems may become serious causing severe depression for the narcoleptic who feels misunderstood and alone in his/her sleepy world.

SYMPTOMS THAT NO AMOUNT OF SLEEP WILL CURE

Excessive daytime sleepiness, despite a full night's sleep, may

include constant fatigue and dullness of the mind.

Uncontrollable urges to sleep,
lasting from minutes to hours, may occur suddenly at inappropriate times when one should normally be alert.

Automatic behavior
refers to doing tasks, usually routine in nature, without conscious thinking. Later, the person is unable to recall details of having done these tasks.

Sleep paralysis
refers to the inability to move upon falling asleep or waking up. The person is conscious of not being able