Case Study

Narcolepsy is a disabling neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and being awake. It could be described as an interruption of the dreaming state of sleep. Symptoms usually start between the ages of 14 and 31. the symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy ( a sudden brief period of time where you muscles weaken or paralysis is brought on by a strong emotion such as laughter or anger). Sleep paralysis, being paralyzed upon waking or falling asleep and hypnagogic hallucinations ( dream-like images that occur at sleep onset). The development number and seriousness of the symptoms change for each person. It is possible that there is a genetic cause to the disorder also. Patients with the disorder can experience irresistible sleep attacks throughout the day with can last for as little as 30 seconds or for longer than 30 minutes.