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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
Mindy Greiling
Miriam (Mimi) Feldman
