Excessive daytime sleepiness, despite a full nights sleep. Uncontrollable sleep attacks, lasting from minutes to hours, may occur suddenly at inappropriate times. An attack may range from a brief experience of muscle weakness to profound loss of muscle tone resulting in total body collapse. During the attack, the person remains conscious but is unable to speak or regain physical control for a brief time. Later the person is unable to recall the details of having done the task.
Sleep paralysis refers to the inability to move upon falling asleep or waking up.
The person has conscious awareness of not being able to move. Hypnagogic hallucinations which are intense, vivid dream-like experiences that occur between wakefulness and sleep. Hallucinations can involve some or all of the senses, making it difficult to distinguish them from reality. Accompanied with sleep paralysis, the individual may experience a terrifying nightmare but will be unable to cry out or escape. Treatment is available for narcolepsy once it has been properly diagnosed.