Narcolepsy patients experience an irresistible need to sleep, regardless of the amount of sleep they get. People with narcolepsy can fall asleep at any time, such as while at work, talking, or driving a car. These "sleep attacks" can last from 30 seconds to more than 30 minutes. Narcolepsy is a less common sleep disorder which affects less than 1% of the population. Its onset can occur at any time throughout life, but its peek onset is during the teen years.