narcoleptic
Uncontrollably falls asleep
Narcoleptic describes someone affected by narcolepsy—a condition causing sudden, uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep.
As a noun, a narcoleptic is a person with this disorder: The narcoleptic fell asleep mid-conversation.
Informally, narcoleptic exaggerates ordinary drowsiness: That lecture was so boring it was narcoleptic.
Emotion-induced muscle paralysis
- sleep paralysisTemporary waking immobility
- central nervous systemBrain plus spinal cord
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- genetic predispositionInherited increased likelihood
Nearly falling asleep
- somnolentInclined toward sleep
- heavy-eyedVisibly fatigued, needing sleep
- blearyDim from fatigue
- yawningOpening mouth when tired
nodding · sluggish · torpid · caffeinated · sleep-deprived · foggy
Fleeting involuntary unconsciousness
- vivid dreamsUnusually intense sleep imagery
- sleep inertiaCognitive impairment after waking
- nodding offFalling briefly asleep
- triggerWhat initiates action
State of utter depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- brain fogCognitive sluggishness and confusion
- drowsinessState of near-sleep
- cognitive impairmentDiminished intellectual function
social stigma · disability · invisible illness · misunderstood · unpredictable · sleep deprivation · chronic condition · quality of life
Agents that heighten arousal
- amphetaminesCentral nervous system stimulants
- antidepressantsMedications treating clinical despair
- sleep hygieneBehaviors promoting better rest
- lifestyle managementDirecting personal daily choices
Diagnostic overnight monitoring session
- sleep diaryRecord of nightly rest patterns
- lumbar punctureExtracting cerebrospinal fluid diagnostically
- neurologistPhysician specializing in nervous system
- differential diagnosisSystematic comparison of possible conditions
cataplexy
Emotion-induced muscle paralysis
- sleep paralysisTemporary waking immobility
- central nervous systemBrain plus spinal cord
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
drowsy
Nearly falling asleep
- somnolentInclined toward sleep
- heavy-eyedVisibly fatigued, needing sleep
- blearyDim from fatigue
yawning · nodding · sluggish · torpid · caffeinated · sleep-deprived · foggy
microsleeps
Fleeting involuntary unconsciousness
- vivid dreamsUnusually intense sleep imagery
- sleep inertiaCognitive impairment after waking
- nodding offFalling briefly asleep
exhaustion
State of utter depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- brain fogCognitive sluggishness and confusion
- drowsinessState of near-sleep
cognitive impairment · social stigma · disability · invisible illness · misunderstood · unpredictable · sleep deprivation · chronic condition · quality of life · support group
stimulants
Agents that heighten arousal
- amphetaminesCentral nervous system stimulants
- antidepressantsMedications treating clinical despair
- sleep hygieneBehaviors promoting better rest
sleep study
Diagnostic overnight monitoring session
- sleep diaryRecord of nightly rest patterns
- lumbar punctureExtracting cerebrospinal fluid diagnostically
- neurologistPhysician specializing in nervous system
sleep lab · differential diagnosis · misdiagnosis · clinical evaluation
- therapy patientsinpatient, outpatient, rehab patient
narcolepticinsomniac
Person who cannot sleep
hypervigilant · sleepless · wide-awake · alert · wakeful