A person with narcolepsy has sudden uncontrollable "sleep attacks". This sleep disorder usually starts displaying its symptoms in adolescence with excessive daytime sleepiness that does not go away with adequate amounts of sleep. They may also have cataplexy, which is a sudden, brief loss of muscle control that is usually triggered by strong emotions. As the person is falling asleep or waking up, they may experience vivid hallucinations and sleep paralysis (brief loss of muscle control).
There is no cure for narcolepsy, but once it is diagnosed, treatment can help people live normal, productive lives.
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