Which statement describes narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is characterized as a disorder that leads to involuntary sleep attacks. This means that individuals with narcolepsy experience sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep that can occur at any time during the day, regardless of how much sleep they had the night before. These attacks can range from a few seconds to several minutes and can happen while the person is engaged in various activities.

This condition also often includes symptoms such as cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions), sleep paralysis, and hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up. Because narcolepsy is primarily defined by these uncontrollable sleep episodes, describing it as a disorder causing involuntary sleep attacks accurately captures the essence of the condition.

Other options do not represent narcolepsy correctly. For instance, while insomnia pertains to difficulty falling or staying asleep, it is not indicative of involuntary sleep episodes. Sleep apnea involves interruptions in breathing during sleep, and restlessness during sleep is more aligned with conditions like restless leg syndrome. Thus, the description of narcolepsy as a disorder causing involuntary sleep attacks best encapsulates its primary characteristic.