Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy
Open Access

Media Representations of Parasomnia and Their Effects on Public Perception and Stigma

Max Cassie^{* *}Correspondence: Max Cassie, Department of Psychiatry and Sleep Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Email:

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Description

Sleep disorders represent one of the most underestimated challenges in modern healthcare, despite their widespread prevalence and profound impact on human health. Sleep, once regarded merely as a passive state of rest, is now understood to be a complex biological process that influences nearly every aspect of physical and mental well-being. The increasing pace of life, high demands of modern society, and constant exposure to digital technologies have made sleep disturbances more common than ever before. Yet, many individuals still dismiss sleep problems as minor inconveniences rather than recognizing them as serious medical concerns.

The essence of sleep lies in its restorative power. During sleep, the body undertakes vital functions such as tissue repair, memory consolidation, immune regulation, and hormonal balance. A disruption in sleep continuity or quality compromises these restorative processes, leading to both short-term and long-term consequences. In the short term, individuals may experience irritability, impaired concentration, reduced productivity, and heightened stress responses.

Insomnia remains the most commonly reported sleep disorder, often arising from a complex interplay of psychological, environmental, and physiological factors. The inability to initiate or maintain sleep not only robs individuals of rest but creates a vicious cycle where the fear of sleeplessness further exacerbates insomnia. Unlike transient sleeplessness due to temporary stress, chronic insomnia is deeply rooted and requires more than just quick fixes. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia has emerged as a gold standard treatment, addressing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors around sleep. This highlights that therapeutic strategies should go beyond symptom suppression and instead tackle the underlying cognitive and behavioral contributors.

Another major disorder that underscores the seriousness of sleep medicine is sleep apnea. Characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, sleep apnea is far more than a nighttime nuisance. Each pause in breathing causes drops in oxygen levels, micro-arousals, and fragmented sleep architecture. Over time, this leads to increased blood pressure, higher cardiovascular risk, and excessive daytime sleepiness. The latter is particularly dangerous when it manifests as reduced alertness during activities such as driving or operating machinery. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, though effective, often faces poor compliance because of discomfort and lifestyle inconvenience. This points to the urgent need for more patient-friendly therapies, highlighting the importance of innovation in sleep medicine.

Restless legs syndrome and other movement-related disorders add another dimension to the landscape of sleep disturbances. Patients often describe an irresistible urge to move the legs, typically accompanied by uncomfortable sensations that worsen in the evening. Although sometimes considered less serious compared to apnea or insomnia, restless legs syndrome significantly reduces quality of life, leading to chronic sleep fragmentation and fatigue. In these cases, therapy often extends beyond pharmacology to include iron supplementation, lifestyle modifications, and attention to comorbid conditions. This demonstrates that treatment of sleep disorders is rarely uniform, and personalization is essential.

Circadian rhythm disorders highlight the intricate relationship between the biological clock and the environment. Humans are naturally aligned with the light-dark cycle, and disruptions to this rhythm, as seen in shift workers or individuals frequently exposed to artificial light at night, can wreak havoc on sleep patterns. The consequences often extend beyond fatigue, affecting metabolic health, mood regulation, and long-term disease susceptibility.