The Serious Condition You Likely Forgot Homer Suffers From On The Simpsons

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https://www.looper.com/998814/the-se...-the-simpsons/

Homer was officially diagnosed with narcolepsy

In the premiere episode of Season 27, "Every Man's Dream," Homer is diagnosed with narcolepsy by Dr. Julius Michael Hibbert. Narcolepsy, for those unaware, is a neurological disorder that affects your ability to wake and sleep, as described by WebMD. The disorder often causes the afflicted person to fall asleep at random moments throughout their day with little to no warning. It can even cause you to lose control of your muscles, have hallucinations, and have sleep paralysis. Experts estimate that most people who have narcolepsy are unaware they have it, causing many to go untreated. Obviously, such a disorder can be hazardous to your health in certain situations, including operating heavy machinery.

In Homer's case, working at a nuclear power plant is probably not the best line of work to be in. In an interview with CNN Health, Russell Rosenberg, chief executive of the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine, says, "I certainly hope that Homer's story will bring more attention to [narcolepsy]. He's not the typical case, although the fact that he is now being identified as having narcolepsy does exemplify the fact that many people can go years and years without getting the proper diagnosis." The doctor also mentions how narcolepsy can often affect relationships, as is seen in the episode where Homer and Marge legally separate for some time. As silly as "The Simpsons" can be, it's episodes like this that showcase just how aware its creators are when discussing such topics.