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18 years
Sometimes when I'm in class and I laugh a lot, I feel laxity in my hand for a minute when I try to write. Why does this happen?
Aug 2, 2015

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
This sounds like a classical description of what is known as cataplexy. Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone while the person is awake with resulting feeling of muscle weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control, but it would be premature to assume that this is definitely the case without proper assessment. But here is some information about this condition:
Attacks of cataplexy can occur at any time when the affected person is awake. Cataplectic attacks span a spectrum of duration and severity.  The loss of muscle tone can be barely perceptible, it can be so mild, affecting only a limited group of muscles and causing only a momentary sense of slight weakness. Cataplexy can occur spontaneously, but more often than not, it is triggered by sudden intense emotions such as fear, anger, stress, excitement, or humor.  Laughter is reported as being the most common trigger.
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