Could it be narcolepsy?
From excessive daytime sleepiness to difficulty staying asleep, different sleep disorders have different signs³. Learn how to recognize common symptoms and when they might point towards narcolepsy.
FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES
Struggling to
stay awake
during the day?
01HOME
What it takes to understand narcolepsy
Living with a persistent urge to sleep during the day can be exhausting enough. But narcolepsy often brings other unexpected challenges, too. It might show up as a sudden loss of muscle control during laughter, or vivid, sometimes frightening dreams, or a brain fog that hours of rest can't clear.¹,²
If some of these experiences sound familiar, this site is here to provide you general information about narcolepsy, including symptoms that can be associated with the condition. It may also help you prepare questions to discuss with your doctor.
Only a doctor can assess your symptoms and provide medical advice.
The information provided is for general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a healthcare professional. Please speak with a healthcare professional if you have questions or need further advice.
Experiences of narcolepsy vary from person to person. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms or feel the same impact on daily life.
Struggling to stay awake during the day?
This questionnaire can help you reflect on patterns in your symptoms
This tool is for informational purposes only and does not provide a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. The test is independently developed and operated by Saventic.
Learn more
Understanding narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that affects how the brain regulates sleep and wakefulness.¹ It's often misunderstood and can present in different ways.⁴,⁵ Learn more about the condition and its key features.
Seeking support for narcolepsy
Understanding narcolepsy typically starts with discussing how symptoms such as daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality are affecting daily life, which may lead your doctor to recommend next steps or to consider a referral to a sleep specialist for further testing.⁵
02UNDERSTAND
Personal perspectives
Behind every narcolepsy diagnosis is a personal story. Here, people share their real experiences in their own words.
The information provided is not intended as professional and/or medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for further advice.
Everyone's experience is different. The impact and symptoms of narcolepsy described in these stories are based on individual patient experiences and may not be applicable to all patients with narcolepsy. Individual experiences may vary.
Explore real stories from people living with narcolepsy and the paths they took to diagnosis. Informed consent was obtained from patients before filming and for sharing the video on this platform.
REFERENCES
- Morse AM, Kim SY, Harris S, et al. Narcolepsy: Beyond the Classic Pentad. CNS Drugs. 2025;39(Suppl 1):9–22.
- Krahn LE, Zee PC, Thorpy MJ. Current Understanding of Narcolepsy 1 and its Comorbidities: What Clinicians Need to Know. Adv Ther. 2022;39(1):221–243.
- Sateia MJ. International classification of sleep disorders-third edition: highlights and modifications. Chest. 2014;146(5):1387–1394.
- Shen Z, Shuai Y, Mou S, et al. Cases of narcolepsy misdiagnosed as other psychiatric disorders. Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:942839.
- Akintomide GS and Rickards H. Narcolepsy: a review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2011;7:507–518.
C-ANPROM/INT/NON/0288, September 2026