What type of sleep disorder is most commonly associated with cataplexy?

Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, excitement, or surprise. It is most commonly associated with narcolepsy, a neurological condition that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness. Individuals with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness and may have episodes of sudden sleep, known as sleep attacks. These episodes can be accompanied by cataplexy, making narcolepsy the primary disorder connected with this symptom.

In the context of sleep disorders, insomnia refers to difficulty falling or staying asleep, obstructive sleep apnea involves repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, and hypersomnia encompasses excessive sleepiness during the day, but neither of these conditions is characterized by cataplexy. Thus, narcolepsy is the disorder where cataplexy is a hallmark symptom. This understanding is vital for recognizing and diagnosing the condition effectively in clinical practice.