Parkinson's Awareness Month spotlight: How the popular show ‘Shrinking’ helps spark meaningful conversations in the exam room
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When people see Parkinson’s on screen, it normalizes the experience and reduces stigma. It also opens the door for conversations that many families struggle to start.
—Michael Okun, MD
It’s one thing to read about a disease on the internet, but another thing altogether to see the everyday realities of that disease play out on the screen.
—Brintha Vasagar, MD
Two men sit in a neurologist’s waiting room.
“What are you in for?” one asks.
“Parkinson’s,” the other replies.
So begins a brief but poignant conversation between two patients living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). They discuss their voices, balance, tremors, stiffness, pain, and hallucinations.
One of the men is Michael J. Fox, playing Jerry, and the other is Harrison Ford, playing Paul, in a scene in the popular series Shrinking. One storyline in the series follows Dr. Paul Rhoades, played by Ford, as he navigates life as a senior therapist living with PD.
Representation matters
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and Michael Okun, MD, National Medical Director and Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation, says representation of Parkinson’s on-screen is important.
"Representation matters. When people see Parkinson’s on-screen, it normalizes the experience and reduces stigma. It also opens the door for conversations that many families struggle to start," Dr. Okun, also the author of The New York Times bestseller The Parkinson’s Plan, tells MDLinx.
Dr. Okun continues, "Shows that blend story with lived experience tend to do best. Shrinking is great because it humanizes Parkinson’s. TV documentaries and individual-driven storytelling often provide the most accurate insights."
Experts are praising the depiction of Parkinson’s in the series, which highlights both the challenges and moments of hope in living with Parkinson’s and raises awareness among viewers.
“It’s one thing to read about a disease on the internet, but another thing altogether to see the everyday realities of that disease play out on the screen. Parkinson’s has a huge impact on daily life and mental health, and this visual representation creates a level of empathy that makes us all more compassionate,” Brintha Vasagar, MD, a family physician, tells MDLinx.
Related: Michael J. Fox’s 35-year Parkinson’s journey: 6 lessons worth sharing with patientsHallucinations and Parkinson’s
Among the issues discussed in the series is hallucinations, which experts say can be underreported due to stigma.
"Hallucinations are common in Parkinson’s and are often underreported because folks may feel embarrassed or unsure if they are real. Clinicians need to ask directly, and families should feel safe bringing it up early,” Dr. Okun says.
In the United States, more than 1.1 million people are impacted by Parkinson’s disease, and nearly 90,000 people are newly diagnosed every year. []
Shows such as Shrinking can be a great springboard for discussions with patients, but experts say it is essential that physicians clarify accuracy and relevance for patients.
Television can be a powerful teacher and can raise Parkinson’s awareness quickly, according to Dr. Okun. However, it can oversimplify or dramatize symptoms, so it should be a starting point and not the final source of truth, he says.
Always acknowledge what they saw on TV and validate their concerns, then shift in the conversation to gently clarify what is accurate, what is dramatized, and how it applies or does not apply to their specific Parkinson’s situation.
—Michael Okun, MD
"Parkinson’s is a whole-body disease, and every person’s journey is different," says Dr. Okun. "If a TV show starts the conversation, that’s a win. The next step should always be education, partnership, and a personalized plan."
Related: Data shows more people are getting Parkinson’s younger—but why?