Schizophrenia in Entertainment - Film, TV, Novels: Accurate or Insulting?

Catch-up chat: re future episodes; people who call us “overbearing moms” and blame the family; patients’ “rights” vs. family caring;   

Themes: What does entertainment media get wrong?

• Lack of named diagnosis - UnReal, Girl Interrupted
• Inaccurate/unresearched portrayal of SZ - Words on Bathroom Walls
• Madness Always Linked to Genius - The Soloist, Beautiful Mind, Shine, Proof
• Mistrusting Medication and Treatment - Beautiful Mind
• Lack of Diversity - often male/white - no cultural differences in attitudes/traditions represented
• Tendency Toward Violence - even serial killers - The Fisher King, Donnie Darko, The Joker
• Hallucinations as mainly visual/romanticized - Beautiful Mind, Words on Bathroom Walls
• Long/Lifetime Hospital stays - Love Actually
• Blaming Family Dynamics/ Bad childhood as only “cause”
• Treatable with Therapy alone - meds are bad - One Flew Over Cuckoo’s Nest
• Romantic Love/ A Good Job can “cure” you - Words on Bathroom Walls 
• SZ    Films “based on a true story” whitewashed for entertainment value - 
• Those with SZ are “possessed” by supernatural
• Too Much Hope? Recovery? - Benny & Joon

Some things they get right:

• Employment can be an important element of recovery - The Joker
• Medication as often vital part of Treatment  - The Joker, Silver Linings Playbook
• The mental health system needs so much work - I Know This Much is True, The Joker
• Family Emotional Reactions/Burdens - Silver Lining Playbook, I Know This Much Is True,

• Other movies mentioned: The Snake Pit 

Links:

https://thecinemaholic.com/schizophrenia-movies/

Next week’s guest:

Michael Mackniak, JD  , Guardian Ad-Litem Services, Melissa’s Project

Helping Families Control the Chaos of Mental Illness at Home and at Work.

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Randye Kaye
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