Pseudo-narcolepsy: case report

This report describes the case of a 44-year-old woman presenting to a Sleep and Alertness clinic with symptoms of narcolepsy. The patient had clinical and polysomnographic features ol: narcolepsy, which disappeared after disc losure of severe psychological stress. Following a discussion of the differ ential diagnosis of narcolepsy, alternative diagnoses are considered. The a uthors suggest that the patient had a hysterical conversion disorder, or "p seudo-narcolepsy." Careful inquiry into psychological factors in unusual ca ses of narcolepsy may be warranted.