CHOOSE A DISORDER YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CHOOSE A RELATED MOVIE FOR THE DISORDER
The task is to find a film that features someone with a behavioral disorder who is the leading character (Rain Man and A Beautiful Mind are
good examples) and discuss how and how accurately the film represents the condition that is presented.
Title page with your name and name of the disorder AND the movie 5-6 pages of content
Opinion
Last page for references 5 references are necessary
References must be scholarly.
Absolutely NO Webmd, NO wikipedia (books, articles within books, monographs, or journal articles,) at least half of which are published within the last 5 years. Do not rely on magazines for accuracy. In the last paragraph or two of the research section of your paper, summarize the research findings and state how the research relates to the topic of your paper.
Discuss:
1. Brief synopsis of the movie
2. diagnosis
3. cause
4. treatment (possible treatment, does not have to be a part of the film, what do you recommend? and why?)
ethical and social impact (including impact on family and significant other)
4. Your opinion – An important part of the paper is your opinion and ideas based on the research you have read and the movie you have
watched. Indicate which parts of the movie you have agreed with in terms of how the disorder was addressed and which you don’t and why. What conclusion can you draw from your reading? What important questions remain unanswered?
Plagiarism – when you opt something word for word or when you merely rephrase ideas. You must cite your sources, including the last name of the author and the date of the publication in parenthesis. If you use someone else’s words or ideas without citing them you are committing plagiarism and may receive an “F.” If you like a phrase or two just copy and cite, I ALWAYS know when it’s yours and when it’s plagiarized.
Examples of films:
Anxiety Disorder: As Good as it Gets, The Deer Hunter, The Fisher King
Mood Disorders: Patton, Ordinary People, Mommy Dearest Personality Disorders: Fatal Attraction, Remains of the Day, A Streetcar named Desire, Taxi Driver
Psychotic Disorders: Sophie’s Choice, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Sexual and Gender Disorder: Cabaret, Chinatown, The Crying Game, Manhattan, Tootsie, Pulp Fiction
Dissociative Disorders and Somatoform Disorders: Hannah and Her Sisters, The Piano, Three Faces of Eve
AlcoholismandDrugAddiction: Ironweed,TheGraduate,CatonaHot Tin Roof, The Verdict, Easy Rider, Pulp Fiction, Mask, Postcards from the Edge.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, you are required to choose a behavioral disorder that interests you and select a related movie that features a character with that disorder as the protagonist. Your task is to analyze how accurately the movie represents the condition portrayed, including the diagnosis, cause, treatment, ethical and social impact, and your personal opinion on the film’s portrayal of the disorder.
Answer:
For this assignment, I have chosen the disorder of schizophrenia and the movie “A Beautiful Mind” as my topic of discussion.
1. Brief synopsis of the movie:
“A Beautiful Mind” is a biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard. It depicts the life of mathematician John Nash, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia. The movie portrays Nash’s rise to prominence as a mathematician while struggling with the challenges posed by his mental illness. It explores his hallucinations, delusions, and his journey towards accepting his condition.
2. Diagnosis:
The movie accurately represents the diagnosis of schizophrenia. It highlights the presence of positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions experienced by Nash, as well as the negative symptoms like social withdrawal and lack of emotional expression. The diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, as outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition), are adequately reflected in the portrayal of the character.
3. Cause:
The movie suggests that the onset of Nash’s schizophrenia is triggered by stress and significant life events. Although the exact cause of schizophrenia is not fully understood, there is evidence to support the role of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and neurobiological abnormalities in its development. The film effectively portrays the interplay between these factors in Nash’s life.
4. Treatment:
While the movie does not extensively focus on specific treatment options for schizophrenia, it provides insights into the challenges faced by individuals living with the disorder. In terms of recommendations, evidence-based treatments for schizophrenia include antipsychotic medications, psychosocial interventions, and family support. It would have been beneficial for the movie to showcase these interventions to enhance the accuracy of its representation.
Ethical and social impact:
The impact of schizophrenia on Nash’s family and significant others is prominently depicted in the film. It portrays the struggles faced by his wife and friends in supporting him and coping with the changes in their lives. The movie effectively addresses the ethical considerations surrounding mental illness, such as stigmatization and societal perceptions of individuals with schizophrenia.
4. Your opinion:
In my opinion, “A Beautiful Mind” provides a compelling portrayal of schizophrenia. The movie adeptly captures the lived experience of someone with the disorder and stimulates empathy and understanding among viewers. The exceptional performance by Russell Crowe in portraying the complexities of Nash’s character enriches the overall authenticity of the film. However, it is important to remember that the movie is a dramatized version of Nash’s life and may not fully capture the nuances of every individual’s experience with schizophrenia.
Conclusion:
Through the analysis of “A Beautiful Mind,” it is evident that the movie largely represents the condition of schizophrenia with accuracy. While it excels in depicting the diagnosis, cause, and ethical implications of the disorder, it could have provided more insight into the recommended treatments. Nonetheless, the film successfully educates viewers about the challenges faced by individuals with schizophrenia and stimulates discussions about mental health in society.
References:
1. Jones, P., McLaren, L., & Jones, I. (2018). Schizophrenia. BMJ, 361, k2123.
2. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
3. Read, J., Perry, B. D., Moskowitz, A., & Connolly, J. (2001). The contribution of early traumatic events to schizophrenia in some patients: a traumagenic neurodevelopmental model. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 64(4), 319-345.
4. Sarin, A., & Mishra, D. (2019). Social stigma of mental illness and its impact on the lives of patients and family members: Insight from an Indian setting. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 41(5), 431-435.
5. Lauber, C., Nordt, C., Braunschweig, C., & Rössler, W. (2006). Do mental health professionals stigmatize their patients? Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 113(1), 51-59.
