What is Cataplexy?

Narcolepsy is an often misunderstood and under-recognized condition. Cataplexy is a major symptom of narcolepsy, a chronic neurological condition that involves other symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness – that can result in difficulty focusing and maintaining alertness, along with sleep paralysis and vivid hallucinations when falling asleep or waking up.² A person cannot have cataplexy without having narcolepsy except in extremely rare cases.³

Cataplexy is sudden episodes of muscle paralysis often triggered by emotions like humor, surprise, or anger.² The presentation of cataplexy episodes varies from facial drooping, jaw weakening, slight knee buckling or neck weakness to falling to the ground for up to several minutes.² Given people can experience a range of triggering emotions throughout daily life, a cataplexy episode can occur at any time – it could be when a person is playing with their children, cooking or driving.² The location does not matter, cataplexy can unexpectedly occur – it might also not be as visible or noticeable as one might expect.^2,3

About 1 in 2,000 people in the U.S. are estimated to have narcolepsy1, and more than half of people living with narcolepsy experience cataplexy². During a cataplexy episode, the person remains conscious and aware of their surroundings, even if unable to speak or move.² The results of a cataplexy episode can also cause physical injury, for example fracturing wrists or other body parts during a fall.²

Claire, a person living with narcolepsy, describes a time when cataplexy put her life at risk. “A few summers ago, I was at the pool and my little neighbor, he was just playing in the pool and giggling, so I was giggling. Then suddenly I was sinking; I couldn’t get my legs to move.”

Almost all people who experience cataplexy have extremely low levels of the naturally occurring chemical hypocretin, which promotes wakefulness and stabilizes sleep/wake transition.^1,2

In people with cataplexy, the loss of hypocretin is believed to be irreversible and lifelong. However, cataplexy can be managed in most individuals with certain medications.³

Claire’s experience is just one example of the impact cataplexy can have on a person’s daily life. People with cataplexy may learn to avoid situations or emotions that trigger a cataplexy episode—meaning they may resist laughing, for example, to avoid prompting an episode.²

¹Narcolepsynetwork.org. (2019). Narcolepsy Fast Facts. [online] Available at: https://narcolepsynetwork.org/about-narcolepsy/narcolepsy-fast-facts/ [Accessed September 6, 2019]. 
²Ahmed I, Thorpy, M. Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Treatment of Narcolepsy. Clin Chest Med. 2010;31(2):371-381. 
³Ninds.nih.gov. (2019). Narcolepsy Fact Sheet. [online] Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Narcolepsy-Fact-Sheet [Accessed September 6, 2019].