A new study has found that Hollywood films and television shows frequently portray narcolepsy inaccurately, often turning the neurological sleep disorder into a source of comedy despite its serious effects on the brain and sleep.
Narcolepsy can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and, in some cases, cataplexy — a sudden loss of muscle strength while the person remains conscious and aware of what is happening.
The condition can also involve sleep paralysis, in which a person is temporarily unable to move when falling asleep or waking up, as well as hallucinations that can occur during the transition between sleep and wakefulness.
The study, conducted by the Norman Lear Center at the University of Southern California (USC) and Project Sleep, examined 56 films and television programmes released between 1983 and 2025.
It found that 80 percent of the productions used narcolepsy as a source of comedy, while 68 percent portrayed characters with the condition as incompetent or unreliable.
Among the productions criticised was the new Snow White film, in which the character Sleepy is repeatedly shown falling asleep during conversations or collapsing in ways intended to entertain audiences.
Candi Wilmot, who lives with narcolepsy, said such portrayals do not accurately reflect the condition and could influence how children and others perceive people living with it.
Experts warn that repeated stereotypes may reinforce the idea that people with narcolepsy are lazy, careless about their work or unreliable. Such misconceptions could also discourage people experiencing symptoms from seeking medical attention.
However, The Simpsons was praised for its portrayal of narcolepsy in a 2015 episode. The show depicted Homer undergoing a medical examination before being diagnosed, providing a more realistic representation of how the condition can be identified.
The study highlights concerns about the influence of entertainment media on public understanding of medical conditions and the importance of portraying narcolepsy more accurately.
KIGALI TIMES