Understanding Narcolepsy: Symptoms and Science

This chapter explores the complexities of narcolepsy, distinguishing between type 1 and type 2 while highlighting key symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. Personal anecdotes are shared to illustrate the societal perceptions of napping versus the uncontrollable sleep attacks characteristic of narcolepsy. The discussion further delves into the neurochemical role of hypocretin and the implications of its absence in understanding the disorder.