An interesting question. Certainly too many go for the severely mentally ill person as homicidal maniac approach. The drive for entertainment through sensationalism often trumping an accurate portrayal of bipolar/depression/schizophrenia etc.
Please add your thoughts.
I think we have a perspective and insight into mental illness so that we can judge this topic more accurately than the common Joe walking down the street. When I first saw “A Beautiful Mind” I didn’t believe anyone could have such intricate, detailed, and elaborate delusions as was shown in the film. I still don’t. And I read somewhere that those delusions shown in the film had got the Hollywood treatment and were largely embellished. “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest” seemed to show a more accurate view of mentally ill people and it did not exaggerate or sensationalize.
When I first saw a Beautiful Mind I thought my psychiatrist was crazy. I didn’t have that. I didn’t hallucinate in the beginning. I didn’t know what schizophrenia was so my psychiatrist recommended I watch that movie. I got sick in 2008. I didn’t start hallucinating until 2012 after I tried quitting my meds. And now I think a Beautiful Mind is a pretty accurate depiction of the illness off of meds. I hallucinate vividly and mostly I see other people. I didn’t think I was a secret agent of the government though but I thought I was a target of a government conspiracy. I would like to watch that movie again now knowing I am schizophrenic. I think I would have a better appreciation for it. I thought everyone was acting like people describe the Truman Show but I have never seen that movie.
The movie I identified most closely with was Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts but that wasn’t really a movie about mental illness. It took me about 6 years to figure out I was sick and Conspiracy Theory was what my life felt like. I still love that movie. I watch it every now and then
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