The first is sleep paralysis. Just when falling asleep or waking up, the person wants to move and finds that for a moment he or she cannot. The second is unusually vivid sight and sound illusions at the onset of sleep. The cause of narcolepsy is unknown. Sometimes normal children and adults experience similar symptoms while nothing appears unusual in the brain.
Symptoms usually begin in adolescents or young adults and are life-long.
Narcolepsy is four times more common in men than women, and some people report a family history. It is important for a person with narcolepsy to avoid situations in which a sudden sleep attack might be dangerous, such as driving, skiing, or operating machinery or power tools. Not all excessive sleepiness is caused by narcolepsy. Your healthcare provider should evaluate the cause of excessive sleepiness. If narcolepsy is diagnosed, certain stimulant drugs and anti-depressants may help to reduce the symptoms.