Hi Abstract, I'm surprised you haven't gotten an answer to your question medically already. You should, b/c it sounds more like a form of narcolepsy to me, but I'm not a Doctor. I looked it up for you and found this:Cataplexy ( a kind of narcolepsy): This symptom consists of a sudden loss of muscle tone that leads to feelings of weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control. It can cause symptoms ranging from slurred speech to total body collapse depending on the muscles involved and is often triggered by intense emotion, for example surprise, laughter, or anger. (citation:http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/narcolepsy)
I do know that narcolepsy is likely part genetic and part triggered by stress triggors, or emotions (see above). The problem with having PTSD going on is that, I think, for most of us, we have learned to dissociate to the extent that emotions are no longer very clearly experienced the way they would be if we didn't get into PTSD in the first place. For example, it says above that we learn to use our intellect rather than emotions to navigate consciously through life. This is a way of trying to protect damaged emotional aspects of ourselves. So Anthony put a list of vocabulary terms of several emotions to that we can use it to try to find labels for different "sensations" or states we find ourselves in but can't affix a quick name to them. I would guess, and since I'm not a Dr. it literally is an educated GUESS, that the lack of emotional connection is making it nearly impossible for you to know that you are feeling the emotion(s) that are triggering your Cataplexy, which means you could have Cataplexy complicated by PTSD or comorbid?
Do you mind my asking why you haven't gone to see a Doctor about it? There are medications that can keep it from happening, I think. You might feel better. At any rate, I am not here to label or scare anyone. This is just an attempt to help you see that going on trying to guess what is happening to your body is actually not the best way to live life when there are helpful people who know what it is and can provide proper relief and care. But YOU are in control of that care, and only YOU can go and get it. Hope this helps and that you find out what is best for your best life!
Muse
I do know that narcolepsy is likely part genetic and part triggered by stress triggors, or emotions (see above). The problem with having PTSD going on is that, I think, for most of us, we have learned to dissociate to the extent that emotions are no longer very clearly experienced the way they would be if we didn't get into PTSD in the first place. For example, it says above that we learn to use our intellect rather than emotions to navigate consciously through life. This is a way of trying to protect damaged emotional aspects of ourselves. So Anthony put a list of vocabulary terms of several emotions to that we can use it to try to find labels for different "sensations" or states we find ourselves in but can't affix a quick name to them. I would guess, and since I'm not a Dr. it literally is an educated GUESS, that the lack of emotional connection is making it nearly impossible for you to know that you are feeling the emotion(s) that are triggering your Cataplexy, which means you could have Cataplexy complicated by PTSD or comorbid?
Do you mind my asking why you haven't gone to see a Doctor about it? There are medications that can keep it from happening, I think. You might feel better. At any rate, I am not here to label or scare anyone. This is just an attempt to help you see that going on trying to guess what is happening to your body is actually not the best way to live life when there are helpful people who know what it is and can provide proper relief and care. But YOU are in control of that care, and only YOU can go and get it. Hope this helps and that you find out what is best for your best life!
Muse