Excessive daytime sleepiness and fragmented sleep are typically the earliest signs of narcolepsy. But the condition is often undetected until symptoms like sleep attacks and cataplexy appear.

Narcolepsy is a chronic brain condition characterized by irregular and disruptive sleep patterns. It impacts the central nervous system and causes issues with the onset of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in particular.

It’s most often associated with “sleep attacks,” which are uncontrollable urges to fall asleep. But there are several other symptoms to know about, including:

  • daytime drowsiness
  • low quality, fragmented sleep
  • cataplexy (temporary, sudden loss of muscle control)

Symptoms usually begin between ages 7 and 25 yearsTrusted Source and are more common during adolescenceTrusted Source. During this time, however, symptoms may be overlooked because adolescents usually experience hormonal shifts, sleepiness, and disordered sleep habits.

As such, people usually receive a diagnosis of narcolepsy 15 yearsTrusted Source after experiencing early symptoms.

Here’s what to know about the condition and how it onsets.

The earliest sign of narcolepsy is typically excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which can make performing daily activities and concentrating at work or school more difficult.

EDS can occur quite suddenly, sometimes causing you to fall asleep for a few seconds or minutes. These episodes are known as “sleep attacksTrusted Source.” They can occur at any time, such as when you’re walking outside or driving.

Is cataplexy an early sign of narcolepsy?

Cataplexy refers to the sudden loss of voluntary muscle control, which may be triggered byTrusted Source intense emotions like laughter, anger, excitement, and grief.

It only affects people with narcolepsy type 1 and may take up to several years to develop after EDS.

That said, cataplexy is the first symptom in 1 in 10 peopleTrusted Source with narcolepsy. These episodes can feel alarming and be potentially dangerous, so people often seek medical attention and get an eventual diagnosis.

Symptoms of cataplexy may include:

Narcolepsy is more likely to be detected in the teen years and beyond. This usually occurs when people experience more advanced symptoms.

Along with EDS, sleep attacks, and cataplexy, other symptoms of narcolepsy may include:

Narcolepsy is often misdiagnosed as another sleep condition, like insomnia, or a psychiatric disorder, like depression or schizophrenia. To increase the likelihood of a proper diagnosis and treatment, raising awareness about the varied signs of narcolepsy is key.

Although narcolepsy often goes undiagnosed, there are ways to diagnose and treat the condition successfully.

When you visit a healthcare professional, they’ll ask you about your symptoms and your medical history to help aid in their assessment. They’ll also likely call for a few diagnostic tests, includingTrusted Source:

A doctor may also ask you for a detailed sleep diary, and you may have to complete a questionnaire called an Epworth sleepiness scale. They may also have you use an ActiGraph or another home diagnostic tool to track your sleep habits.

Your care team can also help identify other possible causes of your disordered sleep habits.

There’s not yet a cure for narcolepsy, but several approaches can help to manage symptoms. These include:

  • Medication: A healthcare professional may prescribe medications like antidepressants, stimulant medications, or sodium oxybate (Xyrem).
  • Healthy sleep hygiene: Going to bed at a regular time, limiting sleep interruptions, and creating a quiet, comfortable bedtime environment can help reduce symptoms. Short naps during the day can also help.
  • Lifestyle adjustments: Exercising regularly, avoiding heavy meals before bed, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and smoking may also help.

Though narcolepsy typically isn’t noticed and diagnosed until its later stages, one of the earliest symptoms of the condition is excessive daytime sleepiness.

If you experience daytime drowsiness, fragmented sleep, “sleep attacks,” or sudden loss of muscle tone, you may have narcolepsy.

Although there’s no cure for narcolepsy, there are ways to manage it effectively. Visiting a healthcare professional can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need.