Sleeping Beauty Syndrome, also known as Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS), is a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects teenagers and young adults. The main symptom of this disorder is excessive sleepiness that can last for days, weeks, or even months at a time. During an episode, the affected person may sleep for up to 20 hours a day and have difficulty waking up. Other symptoms may include confusion, irritability, hallucinations, and changes in appetite and behavior.

What is it?

While the cause of KLS is not fully understood, it is thought to be related to a malfunction in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls sleep and appetite. There is no known cure for KLS, but treatment may involve the use of stimulant medications to help manage excessive sleepiness during episodes. In most cases, KLS goes away on its own, but it can recur in some people. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of KLS, it is important to seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.

According to the NY Post,  a young woman has gone public with an extremely rare condition dubbed “Sleeping Beauty Syndrome,” which has her sleeping up to two weeks at a time. Bella Andreou, a 24-year-old nurse in the UK, says she sleeps over 20 hours at once and falls into a “zombie” state during the hibernation.

The actual condition is medically known as Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) and doctors aren’t sure what causes it. Andreou says the only way to get out of an episode is by staying up all night, which she says she prefers as opposed to going to sleep and not knowing when she’ll wake up. Sadly, Andreou says she’s already lost nearly a year of her life due to the condition, including her 19^th birthday and being a bridesmaid at a friend’s wedding.