DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2018.v06i12.002

Pages: 1007-1008

Narcolepsy is condition characterized by extreme tendency to fall asleep whenever in relaxing surroundings. Narcolepsy is the prototypical example of sleepiness produced by central nervous system dysfunction of sleep mechanisms. The etiology stems from a genetically triggered hypocretin dysfunction and deficit. The classical form of narcolepsy (narcolepsy with cataplexy) is characterized by a tetrad of symptoms 1) excessive day time sleepiness 2) cataplexy 3) sleep paralysis 4) hypnogogic hallucinations. Patients with narcopelsy have an abnormal sleep architecture in which REM sleep occurs soon after sleep onset both at night and daytime naps. Narcolepsy is known to afflict 10 to 60 individuals of 10,000. Symptoms commonly appear in second decade of life. Present case describes a 19 year old female who came to Psychiatry outpatient department with a history of episodes of fall (without loss of consciousness) during heights of emotion like laughing/ weeping since last 3 months. Such episodes were happening 2-3 times/day. She also reported of having excessive sleepiness since last 3 months and experiencing bad dreams. Parents reported her of talking in sleep. Diagnosis of narcolepsy (with cataplexy) was considered. Present case addresses the manifestation of narcolepsy in conjunction with other sleep disorders.