Could it be narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic physical condition that affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep and wakefulness. Often first appearing during the teenage years, it can significantly disrupt daily life, yet it frequently remains misunderstood or undiagnosed for years. 

Key symptoms to be aware of include: 

• Excessive daytime sleepiness: An overwhelming urge to sleep that can lead to falling asleep at unexpected times or places
• Cataplexy: A sudden loss of muscle control, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter or surprise 
• Sleep disturbances: Vivid nightmares, hallucinations, or sleep paralysis (a temporary inability to move) when waking or falling asleep 

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it is important to consult a GP, who can provide a referral to a specialist sleep centre for a formal assessment and support. 

Clinical takeaways

• Feeling overwhelmingly sleepy during the day shouldn't be ignored. If you find yourself falling asleep at unexpected times and places, even at school, at work, or while standing, it could be narcolepsy  
• Narcolepsy is more than just feeling sleepy. Warning signs include sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy) triggered by strong emotions, being unable to move when falling asleep or waking up (sleep paralysis), vivid dream-like experiences (hallucinations), and fragmented night-time sleep 
• The right diagnosis can make a difference. If these symptoms sound familiar, speak to your GP, who can refer you to a specialist sleep centre for further assessment and appropriate treatment 

This video and infographic are available in 13 languages. Links to the videos are below, and all infographics are available to download under the Downloadable resources tab.

  Spanish: https://youtu.be/VOqdgR3UYeQ

  French: https://youtu.be/R5q6F18gKI0

  German: https://youtu.be/l8EnHc4v1u4

  Dutch: https://youtu.be/4ugn_oO37uw

  Polish: https://youtu.be/Ky-cvbnC6MI

  Bulgarian: https://youtu.be/7eA3cIv0tVM

  Danish: https://youtu.be/26b82HG8i14

  Norwegian: https://youtu.be/1XE7zW-rbx4

  Greek: https://youtu.be/x5ddtXkPdKA

  Finnish: https://youtu.be/oJqBrsJAUWs

  Swedish: https://youtu.be/vH8UdM4gvAM