Watch: Real-life 'Sleeping Beauty' falls asleep for weeks at a time due to rare illness on Body Bizarre
Body Bizarre introduces viewers to people with rare, mysterious medical conditions so uncommon that even top doctors and experts don't know much about the anomalies.
And in one episode – which you can watch for free on 9Now – we were introduced to Sharik, a young teenager suffering from an extremely rare condition which sees her fall asleep for up to 27 days in a row.
Stream episodes of Body Bizarre for free on 9Now.
You can hear part of Sharik's story in the video above.
Sharik's mother Marleny, who lives in Colombia with her daughter, told the cameras during the episode: "It was a huge shock – suddenly one day she just didn't wake up.
Sharik (pictured with her mother, Marleny) suffers from Kleine-Levin syndrome. 9Now
"I didn't know what to do – I live with the fear of not knowing when she will fall asleep. I suffer in case she falls asleep in the street. It's super stressful, it's really difficult for me."
Sharik added: "I feel weak and my whole body hurts from over-sleeping."
After two years of not knowing the cause of the illness, Sharik's condition was later diagnosed as Kleine-Levin syndrome.
It causes long bouts of sleep, known as hypersomnia. Some have dubbed the condition "Sleeping Beauty syndrome".
Sharik can sleep for up to 27 days in a row. 9Now
As Dr Orrin Devinsky explained: "Kleine-Levin syndrome is a neurological disorder and is characterised by long periods – often days or weeks at a time – of sleeping episodes.
"The cause is unknown, and we don't have a clear definite treatment that works for most people. Many times it slowly works itself out over five to 15 years, but unfortunately for some people it can be a life-long disorder."
The condition has an estimated prevalence of 1 case per million people.
READ MORE: The best laptops under $1000 for busy families
Sharik's mother Marleny is afraid of where her daughter could fall asleep next. 9Now
During the episode, Sharik and her mother visit a hospital in Bogota to find further treatment for the condition.
Find out what happened by watching Season 4, Episode 3 of Body Bizarre, available to watch for free on 9Now.
Most viewed in Entertainment
Ed Sheeran breaks silence on Macklemore tour removal, as all remaining openers drop out
Emmys 2026: All the major moments from television’s night of nights as they happen
Jeremy Clarkson’s devastating plea to partner Lisa Hogan amid cancer battle
Kyle Sandilands backs out of live show minutes before broadcast amid ongoing health concerns
