Cataplexy is a neurological disorder that causes temporary loss of muscle tone and strength in response to emotions. It is often associated with narcolepsy and can be dangerous. Treatment is available with medication.
Cataplexy is a neurological disorder that causes loss of muscle tone and strength for a short period of time, usually in response to an emotional stimulus such as fear, anger, laughter or surprise. This condition is often associated with narcolepsy, a severe sleep disorder, and is in fact considered one of the hallmarks of narcolepsy, although cataplexy can also occur independently. It is important to seek treatment for cataplexy, as it can be dangerous.
The extent of loss of muscle strength in cataplexy varies. Some patients actually collapse and their vital signs become so erratic that they are difficult to detect. In other cases, people simply feel weak and their jaws and limbs may loosen for a moment. When cataplexy is associated with daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, and problems with REM sleep, it usually indicates narcolepsy.
During a cataplexy attack, it is common for vision to become blurry, but other senses may remain intact. Most people, for example, can hear and sense touch very well, although they may not be able to respond because their voices are slurred or because their muscles have actually become paralyzed for a moment. It’s a good idea to be aware of this if you are around someone who has cataplexy; during a collapse, speaking in a soothing tone and explaining what is going on can be greatly appreciated, even if the patient cannot express it.
Although “plexis” means “seizure” in Greek, cataplexy is not a seizure and is not dangerous in and of itself. However, if a cataplexy attack occurs at an inopportune time, such as while someone is driving, it can be a problem. Cataplexy can also cause social awkwardness and can make people reluctant to socialize and go out. The tendency to repress emotions may emerge in response to the realization that cataplexy is related to extreme emotions, which may be psychologically unhealthy.
Several medications can be used to treat cataplexy, and this condition is usually treated separately from narcolepsy. Sometimes it may take several medications and dosage adjustments to find the right medicine for cataplexy, and while this can be frustrating, in the eyes of many patients it’s worth the extra freedom afterwards. While being treated for cataplexy, it is common to also be treated for narcolepsy, and sometimes narcolepsy treatment can cause the symptoms of cataplexy to improve.
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