cataplexy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “cataplexy” mean?
A sudden, brief episode of muscle weakness or paralysis triggered by strong emotions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sudden, brief episode of muscle weakness or paralysis triggered by strong emotions.
In medical contexts, it refers to a defining symptom of narcolepsy, characterized by a loss of voluntary muscle control while consciousness is preserved.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Solely a clinical, neurological term with no figurative or colloquial use.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, but standard term in sleep medicine and neurology in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cataplexy” in a Sentence
Patient experiences cataplexy (after/because of/during [emotional stimulus]).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cataplexy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient would frequently cataplex upon hearing a good joke.
American English
- Loud laughter can cause him to cataplex.
adjective
British English
- The cataplectic attack was brief but frightening.
American English
- She described the cataplectic episode in detail.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in neurology, sleep medicine, and psychology papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside of discussing a specific medical condition.
Technical
Core diagnostic term for narcolepsy type 1.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cataplexy”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cataplexy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cataplexy”
- Confusing it with 'catalepsy' (a trance-like state with rigid muscles).
- Using it to describe simple fatigue or fainting (syncope).
- Mispronouncing it as /katəˈplɛksi/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. During cataplexy, consciousness is fully preserved. Fainting (syncope) involves a loss of consciousness.
Extremely rarely. Cataplexy is almost exclusively a core symptom of narcolepsy type 1.
Sudden, intense positive emotions like laughter, excitement, or surprise are the most common triggers.
The episode itself is not directly harmful, but the sudden collapse can lead to injury from falls.
A sudden, brief episode of muscle weakness or paralysis triggered by strong emotions.
Cataplexy is usually formal / technical in register.
Cataplexy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkatəpleksi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkætəˌpleksi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAT suddenly going limp (APLEXic) with laughter.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION IS A PHYSICAL FORCE that can disarm the body's control systems.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary trigger for a cataplectic attack?