What is the primary symptom of narcolepsy?

The primary symptom of narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. Individuals with narcolepsy experience overwhelming and persistent drowsiness throughout the day, which can lead to unexpected episodes of sleep that can occur at any time. These sudden sleep attacks can be very brief, lasting only a few seconds to several minutes, and can happen during activities like talking, eating, or driving, posing significant risks and challenges in daily life.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a hallmark of narcolepsy, distinguishing it from other sleep disorders where different symptoms primarily take precedence. This symptom can significantly affect the individual's quality of life, impacting their ability to concentrate, work, and engage socially. Understanding this primary symptom is crucial for diagnosing and managing narcolepsy effectively, along with being aware of other associated symptoms such as cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations, which may accompany the disorder but are not the primary feature.