Here's what I learnt about the condition narcolepsy from that French movie Narco:

1) Narcolepsy is a rare condition
2) There is no cure for narcolepsy
3) The sufferer experiences fantastical dreams while in a sleeping fit
4) The sleeping fits are induced when the sufferer experiences stress
5) Sufferers may grow to suffer from low self-esteem and are have difficulty integrating into mainstream society


Fact or myth? Here's what quack psychologist pearl found out from this website.

First of all, what is narcolepsy?

Like what the doctor in the movie said, 'narco' refers to being in a stupor, hence the word 'narcotics', while 'lepsy' refers to being in a fit, as in epilepsy. As written in this reference, "narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. At various times throughout the day, people with narcolepsy experience fleeting urges to sleep. If the urge becomes overwhelming, patients fall asleep for periods lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. In rare cases, some people may remain asleep for an hour or longer."

1) Narcolepsy is a rare condition

In an early scene where Gus' father had taken the young Gus to the doctor, the doctor commented that being such a rare condition, there is no cure for narcolepsy.

Maybe true, because this scene was set in the 1970s so it probably is a safe bet to say that narcolepsy was rare during that time, not because less people suffered from it. More plausibly, because it was not a well-known condition at that time. Now, it is said that "the disorder affects about one in every 2,000 Americans-a total of more than 135,000 individuals". However, even now, it is largely underrecognized and underdiagnosed.

What causes narcolepsy? Most cases of narcolepsy occurs independently in individuals without strong evidence of being inherited. Other factors-such as infection, immune-system dysfunction, trauma, hormonal changes, stress-may also be present before the disorder develops.


2) There is no cure for narcolepsy.

True. There is indeed no cure for narcolepsy at this point of time. However, the symptoms associated with narcolepsy may be controlled through medication. What symptoms? See the next question...


3) The sufferer experiences fantastical dreams while in a sleeping fit.

False. Unlike in the movie where Gus dreams up wonderful and creative dreams of him being a hero, real sufferers experience pure nightmares. But before I go into that, let's look at the symptoms associated with narcolepsy:

(one) Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)

This symptom is usually the first to become clinically apparent. People with EDS describe it as a persistent sense of mental cloudiness, a lack of energy, a depressed mood, or extreme exhaustion. Many find that they have great difficulty maintaining their concentration while at school or work. Some experience memory lapses. Many find it nearly impossible to stay alert in passive situations, as when listening to lectures or watching television. People tend to awaken from such unavoidable sleeps feeling refreshed and finding that their feelings of drowsiness and fatigue subside for an hour or two.

(two) Cataplexy

Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone that leads to feelings of weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control, which resembles an epileptic attack. Attacks can occur at any time during the waking period, with patients usually experiencing their first episodes several weeks or months after the onset of EDS. Although cataplexy can occur spontaneously, it is more often triggered by sudden, strong emotions such as fear, anger, stress, excitement, or humor. Laughter is reportedly the most frequent trigger.

(three) Sleep paralysis

Similar to cataplexy, only difference is cataplexy occurs while the sufferer is awake, while sleep paralysis occurs when, you guessed it, the sufferer is falling asleep or waking up. Cataplexy and sleep paralysis are frightening events, especially when first experienced. Shocked by suddenly being unable to move, many patients fear that they may be permanently paralyzed or even dying. However, even when severe, cataplexy and sleep paralysis do not result in permanent dysfunction. After episodes end, people rapidly recover their full capacity to move and speak.

(four) Hallucinations

These delusional experiences are unusually vivid and frequently frightening. Most often, the content is primarily visual, but any of the other senses such as hearing, smell and touch can be involved.


So as a narcoleptic sufferer, could Gus experience such wonderful dreams? Seems like a very low possibility cos these 'dreams' should have been extremely frightening.


4) The sleeping fits are induced when the sufferer experiences stress

Maybe true. It hasn't been stated anywhere that stress is the main trigger for narcolepsy, and it seems like the condition is mainly spontaneous. Although to say that sleeping fits are triggered by stress doesn't sound too far-fetched either. Many of my clients experience epileptic fits when faced with stress, so I'm not at all surprised if stress really is a trigger.


5) Sufferers may grow up with low self-esteem and find it difficult to integrate into mainstream society.

True. This is what was written in the website: Narcoleptic symptoms, especially EDS, often prove more severe when the disorder develops early in life rather than during the adult years. Experts have also begun to recognize that narcolepsy sometimes contributes to certain childhood behavioral problems, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and must be addressed before the behavioral problem can be resolved. If left undiagnosed and untreated, narcolepsy can pose special problems for children and adolescents, interfering with their psychological, social, and cognitive development and undermining their ability to succeed at school. For some young people, feelings of low self-esteem due to poor academic performance may persist into adulthood.



Reference: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htm#58853201