US High School Psychology Practice Exam

Falling asleep all of a sudden while talking to a friend is most likely an example of...

1. Insomnia

2. Narcolepsy

3. Sleep apnea

4. Cataplexy

The correct answer is: Narcolepsy

The scenario of falling asleep suddenly while engaged in conversation aligns closely with narcolepsy, which is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. Individuals with narcolepsy often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, leading them to fall asleep in seemingly inappropriate situations, such as while talking, working, or even during meals. Narcolepsy is also associated with other symptoms, including cataplexy, which is a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions, resulting in temporary paralysis or weakness without loss of consciousness. However, the key component in this scenario is the suddenness of falling asleep, making narcolepsy the more fitting choice. Insomnia primarily involves difficulty in falling or staying asleep, and sleep apnea is characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. Neither of these conditions explains the immediate and abrupt transition into sleep seen in the situation described.