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How accurately do film makers portray mental health and neurological conditions? Is it legitimate to use these conditions as "entertainment"?

Reference List

By - Erin Heritage , Grace Wildbore , Olivia Trodden

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Index

Characters and the mental health conditions portrayed

Introduction

Entertainment purposes

Drugs and treatments

Introduction

Welcome to our micro-website exploring the portrayal of mental health and neurological conditions in the captivating film "Silver Linings Playbook." Here, we explore how the filmmakers tackle the complexity of mental health and neurological disorders, analysing the accuracy, sensitivity, and ethical considerations surrounding their depiction. Silver Linings Playbook is a film that intertwines element of romance, drama, and comedy to explore the complexities of mental health and human relationships. Directed by David O. Russel and released in 2012, the film follows the story of Pat Solitano, a man struggling with bipolar disorder, as he navigates life after being released from a mental health facility. The film also offers an insight into the challenges and triumphs of other unspecified emotional issues. Its captivating narrative and powerful acting have earned widespread praise and ignited conversations about how mental health is depicted in mainstream media. It has also ignited a discussion on its impact on shaping societal perceptions and attitudes toward mental health in entertainment.

Characters

Pat Sr.

Pat Jr.

Undiagnosed Signs of OCD

Bipolar Disorder

Tiffany

Undiagnosed Signs of depression

Drugs and treatments

(as mentioned in the film)

Lithium - works as a mood stabiliser that treats BP - reducing bouts of mania and treats depression when other treatments have not worked (NHS, 2020).

Seroquel - used in combination with lithium sometimes when treating manic episodes and depression for both schizophrenia, BP. This can treat depression alone when working incombination with antidepressants (drugs.com, 2019)

Kloponin - used to treat epileptic relates seizure, restless less and panic disorders including anxiety (NHS, 2023).

Trazodone - an antidepressant used to treat both depression and anxiety (NHS, 2022).

Xanax - used to treat anxiety disorders including ones induced by depression (Durbin, 2019)

Effexor - used to treat depression, sometimes anxiety and panic attacks (NHS, 2022b)

Using Mental Health conditions for entertainment

There is a line between accurately portraying those suffering with mental illness and inducing harmful stigmas that is often crossed for entertainment purposes. However, in recent decades, there has been a shift from the film industry in reducing the demonisation of mental illnesses (such as BP). This is due to the film industry having been a main trigger for societal stigmas surrounding those with ‘dangerous’ mental illnesses in the past as villainization was created for the plot. This recent shift now aims to give a generalised view of how their lives differ. These portrayals are a great reason for why films need to show these conditions to gain public knowledge and sympathy. Although, these projects need to be handled with complete accuracy and sensitivity towards communities they will be affecting; the tones should now be more for educational purposes and to help destigmatize these once seen as ‘dangerous’ conditions.

Silver Linings

Analysis of how mental illnesses are portrayed in Silver Linings

There is an unreliable narrative seen in Silver Linings that shows BP can be overcome by force of will. This is done by Pat Jr feeling a need to control his mind which is made to feel achieved by the end of the movie as the 2 main protagonists fall in love. This shifts the scope of the movie by zooming in on their love story losing the parts of their personalities that will continue to struggle with both their conditions. Although this is not harmful in the way some films demonise characters this creates an unrealistic expectation for those suffering with BP today. Other inconsistencies seen within this film show that Pat Junior’s behaviours fail to meet the criteria established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Version Five (DSM-5). The failing of his relationship is also produced to be almost a direct result of his BP which is not accurate and damaging to the BP community (Ilves et al., 2016). These inaccuracies are seen throughout the film industry when attempting to portray BP, for example in Fatal attraction where the female protagonists is shown to have extremely aggressive outburst feeding into the stigma associated with BP (Pierce-Bohen, 2020). Although, villanization can also be seen in Silver Linings when Pat Jr approaches his ex-college in a friendly manner, thanking and hugging her, ultimately ending in her complete distress and terror - reflecting public opinion on those who seem to experience ‘manic and dangerously aggressive’ outburst. Suggesting the portrayal of these condition can be too harmful and should be seriously considered whether they should be used for entertainment.

Dance Scene

Pat Jr. - Bipolar Disorder (BP)

What is BP?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterised by extreme mood swings that include manic episodes and depressive episodes. It can be very disabling and 35% of individuals with bipolar disorder unfortunately attempt suicide. For more information click here

Symptoms

Within the film Pat Jr. shows a range of common BP symtoms: Increase in goal directed activity - Pat becomes obsessed with losing weight and getting better to be able to get his ex wife back Decreased need for sleep - Pat shows signs of insomnia when he wakes his aprents. up at 4am fixated on finding a wedding video Psychotic features - Pat can hear his trigger song playing in his ears during an episode even though nothing is actually playing

Inaccuracies within the film

The depiction of Pat's recovery journey may give the impression of a swift resolution, which contrasts with the reality of BPs often long-term management. In addition, the films focus on unconventional therapies like dance, oversimplifies the comprehensive treatment for BP, which includes combination of psychotherapy, medication, and sometimes hospitalization during severe episodes. Pat’s abrupt shifts between manic and depressive states may also not fully capture the gradual onset and duration of bipolar episodes, which can vary widely among individuals.

Pat Sr. - Undiagnosed (signs of OCD)

What is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterised by intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) performed in response to these obsessions. It’s a chronic disorder that can significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life if left untreated. For more information click here

Signs and symptoms

Within the film Pat Sr. shows signs of obsessions which some people may exaggerate to characterise as OCD However he does display some of the symptoms of OCD: A need for symmetry and orderliness - Pat constantly recounts his envelopes in his office which he doesn't allow anyone to go into , as well as insisting on the remotes being in exact positions Compulsions - convinced things ( the football game) will go wrong if certain people aren't in the room or holding certain things

Inaccuracies within the film

Silver Linings is seen to oversimplify or exaggerate Pat Sr.'s OCD symptoms for comedic effect, such as his superstitions regarding football games, without fully exploring the complexities of the disorder. In addition, the film doesn't delve deeply into the impact of Pat Sr.'s OCD on his daily life and relationships, missing an opportunity to provide a portrayal of the challenges he faces.

Tiffany - Undiagnosed (signs of Depression)

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. It affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. Depression can manifest in various ways, including changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide. It can range from mild to severe and can interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. For more information click here.

Signs and symtpoms

Tiffany is depicted as having unresolved grief and struggles with her mental health following the death of her husband. While the film doesn't explicitly specify a diagnosed mental health condition for her, Tiffany exhibits symptoms suggestive of depression and possibly complex grief disorder. She displays signs of emotional instability, impulsivity, and difficulty coping with her loss. Including her erratic mood swings and risky actions, suggesting underlying mental health issues.

Inaccuracies within the film

It can be argued that the film oversimplifies and romanticises her struggles with depression, and that her condition seems to improve primarily through her relationship with Pat. In addition, Tiffany's journey lacks professional intervention or therapy, which is often crucial in managing depression realistically. The film also doesn't explicitly diagnose Tiffany's condition, leading to ambiguity in her portrayal.

Dance scene at the end of Silver Linings

This clip shows how cinematography has been used to portray BPD by using drastic changes in music style and dancing this is meant to reflect the mood swings of Pat Jr mirroring societal stigma of the drastic mood swings people with BP are meant to have - inaccuracy all done for entertainment.

Reference list Durbin, K. (2019). Xanax. [online] Drugs.com. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/xanax.html.https://www.drugs.com/seroquel.html (2019). Seroquel. [online] Drugs.com. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/seroquel.html. Ilves, P., Scotia, N., Halifax, H., Laura, C. and Ilves, S. (2016). Film Review The Role of Film in Public Perception of Bipolar Disorder: Perpetuating Stigma in Silver Linings Playbook. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, [online] 1, pp.1916–2405. Available at: https://www.jemh.ca/issues/v9/documents/JEMH_Open-Volume_Film_Review_Silver_Linings_Playbook-May2016-final.pdf.NHS (2020). Lithium: medicine to control mood disorders such as mania and bipolar disorder. [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lithium/.NHS (2022a). About trazodone. [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/trazodone/about-trazodone/.NHS (2022b). About venlafaxine. [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/venlafaxine/about-venlafaxine/.NHS (2023). About clonazepam. [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/clonazepam/about-clonazepam/. Pierce-Bohen, K. (2020). 10 Most Inaccurate Movie Character Portrayals Of Mental Illness. [online] ScreenRant. Available at: https://screenrant.com/movie-character-inaccurate-mental-illness-portrayals/. Work was split evenly for the website with contributions from all persons on each section Erin Heritage focussed on the conditions present within Silver Linings, Grace Wildbore focused on the introduction and worked on condition profiling as well, Olivia Trodden worked on the impact of the entertainment industry