"Cataplexy mimics symptoms of seizures and brain tumors, so you should visit your clinician to rule out other severe ailments," Mitchell says. Studies in mice show reducing activity in these parts of the brain also reduces cataplexy. So, why do intense emotions result in temporary paralysis? The amygdala and prefrontal cortex in your brain control your emotions - but these regions also connect to your brain's paralysis pathways.Įxperts believe your brain may associate intense emotions with paralysis, inadvertently causing cataplexy. "A teen starting high school or college may experience symptoms due to peer pressure or workload, while young adults might experience uncontrollable muscle twitching when overwhelmed with excitement around friends and family," Mitchell says. Nancy Mitchell, a registered nurse at Assisted Living Center, says these emotional triggers vary widely. However, intense emotions like laughter, sadness, fear, and excitement can all trigger cataplexy. Low levels of this hormone may cause the same muscle weakness during the day you'd otherwise experience while asleep. People who experience cataplexy typically have lower brain levels of hypocretin, a hormone that helps control your sleep and energy levels.
In short, it doesn't pose a serious threat to your health.Įxperts believe a hormone deficiency may cause this symptom. You'll still breathe during an episode, and your heart will continue to pump blood. Note: Cataplexy only affects your skeletal muscles. But since about 10% of people with narcolepsy notice cataplexy as their first symptom, recognizing cataplexy could help you get a diagnosis of narcolepsy sooner. The sudden muscle weakness from cataplexy can be easily misdiagnosed as a seizure disorder. Sudden inability to move your facial muscles.Abrupt muscle weakness on both sides of the body following heightened emotions - think fear, excitement, stress, and anger.David Culpepper, a medical doctor and Clinical Director at LifeMD. "Symptoms are consistent across age, but they vary from person to person, from a slight slackening of the facial muscles to falling down," says Dr. It typically shows up before age 25, but you can experience it at any age.
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