Narcolepsy Discussed on The Kardashians TV Show

In a recent episode of The Kardashians (S6, E6) Kim and Khloé are visiting India to attend an extravagant wedding, when an interesting discussion raises the question of whether Kim Kardashian could have narcolepsy, a chronic neurological condition that impairs the brain’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

Khloé Kardashian: Kim has a rare gift that she can fall asleep anywhere, doesn’t matter if it’s loud, quiet, whatever.

Kim Kardashian: But it’s not narcolepsy.

Khloé Kardashian: I think you might have it, but that’s okay.

Project Sleep’s Analysis:

This exchange between the two Kardashian sisters will likely resonate with many people living with narcolepsy and their loved ones for a few reasons:

1. Friends or family members may notice the unique nature of someone’s sleepiness more than the person themselves. Yet they may interpret the sleepiness as a character quirk or even a positive personality trait (like Khloé describing it as a “rare gift”) as opposed to seeing it as a sign of a medical condition.
2. When Kim distinguishes her experience of falling asleep from narcolepsy, it’s likely based on cultural misconceptions about what narcolepsy looks like. While Hollywood portrays narcolepsy as dramatically falling asleep in biologically impossible or dangerous situations, the real sleepiness of narcolepsy can be much more subtle and often hits in quiet or sedentary moments like during car rides, on flights, or during boring or monotonous activities.
3. Experiencing daytime sleepiness can be caused by a number of different sleep disorders including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and idiopathic hypersomnia. This is why it’s important to consult a sleep specialist to better understand the cause of your sleepiness, and access possible treatment options to improve wakefulness.

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Could Kim Kardashian have narcolepsy?

Interestingly, narcolepsy is much more common than people realize, impacting 1 in 2,000 people– about 200,000 Americans and 3 million people worldwide, yet the majority of these individuals are undiagnosed due to misperceptions and lack of awareness. Further, sleep apnea impacts about 54 million Americans, yet the majority are undiagnosed due to misperceptions.

We cannot be sure whether Kim Kardashian might have narcolepsy or another diagnosable sleep disorder, or whether her sleepiness is due to jet lag and sleep deprivation caused by her demanding lifestyle. However, it’s important to take sleepiness seriously, especially if it starts to impact your daily functioning, driving or at school or work.

Got questions about your sleep or sleepiness?

• We are here to support you! Navigational support is available by contacting Project Sleep’s Sleep Helpline.
• Learn more about sleep disorders and how to seek out support from your primary care provider and a sleep specialist.

What do you think? Could Kim Kardashian have narcolepsy? Comment below with your thoughts!

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