Daytime sleepiness
A difficult-to-control need to sleep and involuntary sleep episodes. These can affect education, work and daily activities.
Recognising the signs
Do you feel constantly tired?
Do you often fall asleep easily, in any situation and in any place?
Consult your doctor
20–60cases per 100,000 people
Epidemiological studies estimate a prevalence of 20 to 60 cases of narcolepsy per 100,000 people.
Five manifestations to understand
Sleepiness is the core symptom. Other manifestations vary, and their absence does not rule out narcolepsy. A single symptom is not enough to establish a diagnosis.
Cataplexy
Brief muscle weakness triggered by laughter or another emotion: knees may buckle, the head may drop or the jaw may slacken, without losing consciousness.
Sleep paralysis
When waking up or falling asleep, a person may be aware but temporarily unable to move. This can also occur without narcolepsy.
Sleep-related hallucinations
Vivid images, sounds or sensations may occur when falling asleep or waking up. On their own, these do not mean a psychiatric disorder.
Fragmented night-time sleep
Despite marked daytime sleepiness, nights may include repeated awakenings. Falling asleep easily by day does not necessarily mean sleeping well at night.