Question

Discuss a movie that focuses on individuals mental illness.

1. What movie did you watch and what mental illness did it depict?

2. How accurate was the depiction (that is did it describe the illness accurately of was it inaccurate or highly dramatized?

Think about the stigma associated with mental illness. Does this movie increase that stigma or help reduce it?

Answer 1

• .For me,the best movie that truly depicts a mental illness in its correct form is "A Beautiful Mind".Though its not a perfect film since it is derailed by a subplot that doesnt makes sense but the portrayal of John Nash and his struggle with schizophrenia deserves credit.It showed syptoms of schizophrenia correctly including delusions and hallucinations,which form the crux of this mental illness.
• The movie depicts Nash's journey through life with schizophrenia. Nash displays many characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, delusions, fear of persecution, and lack of interpersonal relationships.This movie does an excellent job in highlighting the burden a psychiatric illness can put on loved ones.
• The movie focuses on Nash's struggle with paranoid schizophrenia during the 1940s and 1950s. While the movie takes a few dramatic liberties with its depiction of schizophrenia, it also provides a fairly accurate portrayal of the disease.
• For example, symptoms typically begin in early adulthood for males and often involve a significant stressor, such as beginning graduate courses at Princeton University.
• The psychosocial consequences the illness has on Nash's career and family are also reality for many patients suffering from severe mental illness.
• The film highlights another important component of mental health treatment; medication adverse effects. Nash begins treatment with an antipsychotic medication and experiences sedation and sexual dysfunction.
• He complains he is unable to think clearly and develop new areas for research, which causes him to self-discontinue his medication. After some time off the antipsychotic, his delusions return and he decompensates.
• This movie doesnt stigmatize schizophrenia bur rather serves as an educational tool,it is important to identify how positive symptoms of schizophrenia typically present. Overall, this film is a worthy teaching strategy that augment traditional methods of conveying the realities of severe mental illness to students.