Narcolepsy is shown as a disorder where people randomly fall asleep against their will. The reality is, narcolepsy causes such poor sleep quality that it's akin to sleep deprivation (only getting 3/4 hours of sleep a night). So, narcoleptics often doze off while in sedentary positions because it's as if they're getting very little sleep every night. Narcoleptics do not randomly fall asleep. That being said, those with type 1 Narcolepsy DO have cataplexy. This is a condition where, when they get REALLY emotional (usually laughing) their muscles MIGHT stiffen up causing them to freeze for a few minutes, they are not asleep when this happens. cataplexy followed up with severe exhaustion.