Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness, the elements of dreaming while awake, and sudden sleep attacks.
Other symptoms of narcolepsy are:
- Cataplexy – attacks of muscle weakness
- Sleep paralysis – when the brain awakens during sleep but the body is unable to move
- Automatic behavior while asleep with no memory afterward
- Hallucinations as you are about to fall asleep
- Waking up frequently and having trouble falling back to sleep.
- Memory problems
Narcolepsy is a chronic and life-long condition and not a deadly illness. Narcolepsy can be dangerous however, if an episode occurs while driving, operating machinery, or other similar activities. Narcolepsy can be controlled with treatment and will usually reduce the number and frequency of attacks. Treating any underlying sleep disorders can also improve the symptoms.