The Portrayal of Insomnia in the TV Series Insomnia and Its Comparison to Clinical Standards

Abstract

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders and has been increasingly depicted in popular media. This study explores how the 2018 Russian TV series Insomnia portrays the symptoms, causes, and effects of the disorder, and compares this portrayal to clinical diagnostic criteria and findings from adolescent insomnia research. The research employs a visual analysis approach to the first three episodes of the series, focusing on scenes depicting insomnia-related behavior and its psychological and social consequences. Clinical evidence from peerreviewed medical and psychological literature is used for comparison. The findings reveal that Insomnia accurately depicts several core features of chronic insomnia— such as cognitive impairment, emotional instability, and hallucinations—but dramatizes these features for narrative tension. The series simultaneously raises awareness about sleep health while preserving its fictional entertainment value.