cataplexy

American  

[kat-uh-plek-see] / ˈkæt əˌplɛk si /

noun

1. Pathology. a condition characterized by sudden, brief attacks of muscle weakness sometimes causing the body to fall helplessly, that is usually triggered by strong emotion: often associated with narcolepsy.

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cataplexy British  

/ ˈkætəˌplɛksɪ /

noun

1. sudden temporary paralysis, brought on by severe shock

2. a state of complete absence of movement assumed by animals while shamming death

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Other Word Forms

• cataplectic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cataplexy

1880–85; < German Kataplexie < Greek katáplēxis (with suffix probably by analogy with Apoplexie apoplexy ) fixation (of the eyes), equivalent to kataplēk- (variant stem of kataplḗssein to strike down) + -sis -sis

Compare meaning

How does cataplexy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cataplexy vs. catalepsy

Example Sentences

A century later, it was sold as a dietary supplement in the United States, and academic researchers began reporting that it greatly improved the nighttime sleep of people with narcolepsy and curbed their daytime sleep attacks, called cataplexy.

From Seattle Times

The advisory committee recommended the agency approve Xyrem for narcolepsy with cataplexy, which it did in 2002.

From Seattle Times

She suffered injuries in the fire, and also has pre-existing neurological conditions, including narcolepsy and cataplexy, which cause her to collapse when experiencing strong emotions.

From BBC

Could this be a rare disease known as cataplexy?

From New York Times

In some, cataplexy may affect only the face or neck, causing the eyelids to droop or the head to fall forward.

From New York Times