Narcolepsy and hallucinations in the spectrum of its manifestations. Clinical сase
Clinical review for general practice April 26, 2025 V. N. Grigoryeva, O. D. Elshina, П. Н. Николаев et al.
Narcolepsy type 1, a chronic sleep-wake regulation disorder, often goes undiagnosed for years, worsening patients' quality of life. In a 22-year-old man, long-term sleep disturbances linked to computer game addiction and emotional stress preceded the onset of all classic narcolepsy symptoms, including visual, tactile, and auditory hallucinations upon awakening. Despite severe deterioration, he avoided medical help for over a year due to fear of being labeled mentally ill. After diagnosis, therapy rapidly and significantly improved his condition. The case highlights the importance of physician awareness for earlier diagnosis, distinguishes hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations from daytime hallucinations to reduce stigma, and discusses updated diagnostic criteria and treatment.