13-Year-Old First Minor Diagnosed with Narcolepsy in Andorra

A 13-year-old girl known as Angie has become the first minor in Andorra to receive a narcolepsy diagnosis, shedding light on a little-understood neurological disorder in the country.

In an interview with Ràdio Nacional d'Andorra, Angie's mother, Mònica, described her daughter's extreme fatigue, which causes the brain to shut down and enter REM sleep directly. This leads to uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep lasting hours. On a typical weekend, Angie might wake at noon, only to fall into an unavoidable four- or five-hour nap after lunch.

Though congenital, the condition went undiagnosed until Angie was 10, despite early signs like falling asleep at school. She also has ADHD, which initially complicated recognition of the narcolepsy. To stay awake during school hours, she takes a stimulant; boredom triggers an immediate shutdown otherwise.

The family now watches closely for cataplexy, a related symptom involving sudden muscle relaxation and fainting, which has not yet appeared but remains a concern for doctors.

Looking ahead, Mònica expressed worries about Angie's future employment prospects and everyday safety, such as driving, which could prove hazardous. Physical warnings like leg pain or jaw relaxation signal oncoming sleep, but the biological urge often proves unstoppable despite Angie's efforts to resist.

Mònica stressed the need to educate schools and the wider community about narcolepsy, which remains virtually unknown in Andorra, where no other cases have been identified.