Cognitive-behavioral model of narcolepsy-cataplexy syndrome: A theoretical view

Abstract

Recent developments in behavioral sleep medicine have been made concerning conceptualization and explanation of different sleep disorders. Although it is certain that advances have been made in relation to different explanatory sleep models, such as the behavioral interactive model, the behavioral sleep model, and the sleep regulation model, it is also true that behavioral conceptualizations sug-gested until now had been focused on the comprehension of the phenomenon of insomnia. However, explanatory models of day time sleepiness have emerged only recently. In this study we review the cognitive-behavioral formulation of the narcolepsy-cataplexy syndrome. A model is presented, analyz-ing the central points of such model in relation to explanation and intervention aspects of narcolepsy, and suggesting the model as an important contribution to behavioral sleep medicine.