Depiction of Schizophrenia in a Beautiful Mind - Movie Review Example

Depiction of Schizophrenia in a Beautiful Mind Movie Name Course Tutor 02 September 2012 A Beautiful mind movie: How schizophrenia is depicted Introduction Today, the prevalence of schizophrenia is depicted in numerous media channels that have ability to increase awareness of the illness to large population. Movies constitute some of the methods that have been adopted and are being used to highlight and create awareness of the illness. One such movie is the ‘A Beautiful Mind’ created in 2001. Synopsis of the movie ‘A Beautiful Mind’ is a biographical movie that was created in 2001. It is a movie based on the life of John Nash; who in1994 won a Nobel Prize for his game-theory in Economics. Written by Akiva Goldsman and directed by Ron Howard, A Beautiful Mind is based on a book with same title by Sylvia Nasar, which in 1998 was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. The movie star is Russell Crowe, who plays the role of John Nash. Other supportive characters in the movie include Ed Harris, Paul Bettany, Joshua Lukas, Adam Goldberg, Anthony Rapp, Vivien Cardone Christopher Plummer, Judd Hirsch and Jason Gray-Stanford, who take up cast names as Parcher, Herman, Hansen, Sol, Bender, Marcee, Dr. Rosen, Helinger and Neison respectively in the movie. At the same time, Jennifer Connelly acts as Nash’s wife, and in the movie she is known as Alicia Nash. The primary theme in the ‘A Beautiful Mind’ movie revolves around John Nash, a famous mathematician, who struggles with a mental health problem. The struggle that John Nash goes through due to the mental health problem starts immediately Nash enrolls for graduate studies at Princeton University. At the university, Nash is presented as an unexplained genius and stands out unique among his classmates. He has unparalleled intelligence that baffles many, especially with his ability to develop a unique mathematical theorem. Nevertheless, these immense knowledge and innate abilities demonstrated by Nash are shadowed by his character of being socially withdrawn; where he keeps to himself on many occasions in his life at the university. Whether at the university, in the social events, or with other students, Nash does not appear appreciates company, instead spends a lot of time with his roommate, Charles, who at same time happens to be his best friend. After graduate studies, Nash gets an opportunity at the MIT University to teach, a chance that enables him to meet and becomes romantically attracted to his student, Alicia. They eventually get married; graduating their relationship to that of husband and wife. Their marriage, just like any other marriage can be, is characterised by both ups and downs, especially when Nash begins to lose his grip on reality about life that leads to Nash being institutionalised and diagnosed with schizophrenia. This mental health problem affects Nash to great depths, changing his character into that a socially withdrawn and anti-social individual in society. The mental health issue becomes a big problem, especially when it affects Nash personally, his family, colleagues and those he interacts with. The problem continues and Nash becomes totally withdrawn from society and stops teaching. But after many years outside the lecture hall, Nash bounces back to the lecturer hall; where he is immersed in research and teaching, enabling him to receive a Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994. Therefore, ‘A Beautiful Mind’ is a movie that depicts the social life of Nash as a victim of a mental health problem called schizophrenia, and how he recovers from the problem later in life. Axis of the main character Axis of the main character in the movie revolves around the mental health problem that Nash experiences. When he is finally diagnosed, Nash is found to be suffering from schizophrenia. The mental health problem affects Nash’s social and mental wellbeing that eventually derails his social life, career and mental stability. He gradually dissipate into an anti-social individual; a situation that largely impacts on him, his family, colleagues and other people in the society. Associated signs and symptoms A number of signs and symptoms that can be linked to schizophrenia can be outlined as exhibited by Nash. But, it is important see what literature says about the signs and symptoms associated with schizophrenia. According to Compton & Kotwicki (2007), schizophrenia as a mental illness is associated with numerous signs and symptoms, which can be categorised into a number of overlapping clusters. At the same time, different patients manifest different groups of signs and symptoms, and these symptoms and the signs and symptoms have ability to vary in the same person over the course of the illness (Compton & Kotwicki, 2007). As a result, schizophrenia manifests both positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia reflect an excess or deviation of normal perception, emotion, or thought and may be characterised by psychotic or disorganised (Weiner & Craighead, 2010). Psychotic symptoms in this situation include hallucinations and delusions, while disorganised dimensions include disordered speech, thinking or behaviours (Barlow & Durand, 2008). On the other hand, negative symptoms in the case of schizophrenia include diminution, absence of normal emotions, thought, speech or ant-goal-oriented behaviour (Barlow & Durand, 2008). Therefore, the signs and symptoms that John Nash exhibit in the movie that makes it possible to consider him as a paranoid schizophrenic victim are identified as follows. First, Nash is socially withdrawn from the initial moment he enters Princeton University for his graduate studies. He rarely cherishes or appreciates company of other people and only seems to feel okay when in the company of roommate, Charles. In some of the instances he finds himself in social places where many people are interacting, Nash feels awkward, a situation that explains more about his social withdrawal behaviours. Moreover, even after marrying Alicia and end up going to social events such as party, Nash speaks only to Alicia most of the time, and when this is not happening, he spend much of the time gazing at the paintings and thinking to himself, a situation that makes him to have less conversation with other people. Besides, Nash only speaks to other people in such social events when the others initiate the conversation, but again, he only remains terse in his replies, which lead to Nash’s flat emotional response. It can further be said that Nash’s voice in the movie lacks inflection, a situation that further explains Nash’s flat emotions that he exhibits in most scenes in the movie. Although he changes in some instances such as when he realises how he has affected his family due to the mental problem and when he express horror in the car chase, Nash in most instances can be said to express little or no emotions at all. This symptom is normally evident among schizophrenic victims. Apart from this, the movie depicts Nash as one with a unique, limping and stooped-over walk that has become a visible characteristic among the schizophrenic victims. This kind of walk become more pronounced as Nash ages, a situation that may explains further onset of schizophrenia in later years. This kind of walk further becomes a mock-exhibit among students at Princeton, who mimic the way their professor has a crazy walk. Besides, Nash demonstrates the general symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations and paranoia, which are prevalent among schizophrenia victims. For instance, Nash’s hallucinations are evident through his interaction with his roommate Charles, Marcee, who is Charles niece, and William Parcher. As a result of hallucinations and delusions, Nash demonstrates grandiose feelings that he is more than a professor and believes to be a spy with exceptional abilities to break codes with ease. It is only Alicia, Nash’s wife, who brings the whole reality in him that all these are hallucinations and no reality in them. In fact, this revelation and realisation surprises Nash, who along has been living in delusions about reality. Current prevalence of the condition A number of international studies have been carried out in order to establish prevalence of schizophrenia. Results generated so far indicate that schizophrenia is similar around the world (Tsuang, Faraone & Glatt, 2011). The overall similarity rate around the world is estimated to be between 0.5 and 0.8 percents (Michelle & Brahm, 2012). It has further been observed that despite the cultural heterogeneity evident across societies, prevalence of schizophrenia in different society remains consistent. This shows clearly how schizophrenia does or does not discriminate between East and West or between developed and developing nations (Tsuang, Faraone & Glatt, 2011). In 2004, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that about 26.3 million around the world suffer from schizophrenia (Tsuang, Faraone & Glatt, 2011). At the same time, schizophrenia is not regarded to be among the leading cause of death in humans, but WHO has ranked the illness at position 14, as one of the conditions likely to results into moderate to severe disability (Tsuang, Faraone & Glatt, 2011). Globally, about 16.7 million cases of disability have been identified and schizophrenia is considered to be the cause. Moreover, 65 percent of all these cases of disability involve individuals aged below 60 years. In Australia, estimates show that about 20 percent of the population experiences mental illness every year and 45 percent of Australians are likely to be affected by mental illness in their lifespan (Sane Australia, 2012). Besides, 1 percent of Australians are believed to be affected by schizophrenia at some time in their lives (Sane Australia, 2012). Treatment modalities John Nash is subjected to a number of treatment modalities that over time have become popular in the treatment of schizophrenia. Moreover, these popular treatment modes are gradually becoming archaic, and this can be justified by a number of studies that have been conducted to establish the efficacy of these treatment modalities (Lauriello & Pallanti, 2012). First, John Nash is subjected to electroshock therapy, which he is forced to endure with a lot of pains. Apart from the electroshock therapy, John Nash is also subjected to strong antipsychotic drugs; where the audience is able to witness the gross side effects of these drugs on the main character in the movie. For instance, although Nash is largely withdrawn, the drugs precipitate and accelerate this situation more, where they make Nash to distant himself further from other people while he is having the drugs. When the side effects of the drugs become unbearable, John Nash stops taking drugs and decline hospitalisation, a situation that leads to complete relapse. This scenario is depicted when Alicia Nash, enters the shed where John Nash is and finds him back in delusion about the hidden Soviet codes. Another profound treatment modality that John Nash is subjected to is the psychotherapy treatment. In the movie, the audience is able to see John Hash almost putting the life of his son in danger, when the son almost drowns. At the same time, he endangers the life of his wife, Alicia Nash, by accidentally knocking her to the ground, while trying to run away from the people he believes want to harm his life. Prompted by these events, Alicia Nash feels scared and flees the house, a situation that makes John Nash to beg Alicia to stay. At this moment, Nash is emotionally moved by the way his situation is causing problems to other people. He discovers all the strange happenings in his life are as a result of hallucinations and decides to deal with his symptoms, although he declines a suggestion by Dr. Rosen to restart medications. Alicia decides to stay and help him. Nash begins a gradual process of entering small social gatherings that eventually leads him to integrate in the society. Ability to enter social groups enables Nash to establish cordial relationships with other people, especially, Martin Hansen, who is in charge of Princeton Mathematics Department. Hansen decides to grant Nash permission to work in the library and audit classes, an opportunity that enables Nash to build on his vocation abilities that later enables him to become a respected professor. Psychotherapy enables Nash to become successful and productive in society, even though the battle with schizophrenia is not over. Psychosocial issues The mental problem that John Nash experiences as a result of schizophrenia, has led to manifestation of a number of psychosocial issues that have impacted negatively on the individual, the family and friends, and workmates. John Nash develops poor social skills that lead him to have poor relationship with other people. At the same time, Nash develops poor communication skills that affects his interpersonal relationships with people.. He does not talk much, especially to strangers, he exhibit awkward gestures and facial expressions, and his speech is not clear. Furthermore, Nash’s walking pace and posture changes, a situation that invites mimic from students. Furthermore, Nash’s family is affected, especially where the wife feels unsafe with the child. Also, Nash’s situation derails his intimacy relationship with his wife. Moreover, the situation further affects the wife who becomes emotionally disturbed and depressed, especially as she witness the difficulties and pains her husband goes through. Lastly, it becomes difficult for Nash to relate well with his workmates, and this leads him to lose his job temporarily at the university. Any discrimination that took place A discrimination case in the movie can be evidenced in the way treatment is carried out. Treatment process that Nash is subjected to results from Nash’s admission to the rather than being a choice by Nash. This can be evidenced in the movie, where Nash refuses to take antipsychotic drugs, opting to deal with his situation in a proper way that he is comfortable with. Ethical issues raised in the treatment process The primary ethical issue that arises from this scenario is that treatment process should not violate patients’ rights. Patients have rights with regard to choice, decision and involvement as far as treatment process is concerned. Lenzenweger (2010) observes that efforts at early intervention, especially those dealing with psychopharmacological, have to be based on decision examined and derived from numerous points of vantage. In other words, decision to intervene and administer treatment to the patient has to consider factors related to clinical care, potential life course of the patient and ethics involved in the entire process (Lenzenweger, 2010). Recommendations John Nash’s case of schizophrenia shows that effective treatment process has to be comprehensive, where medication strategies are integrated with non-medical strategies. Nash recovers from schizophrenia not from the power of medicines, but from the power of social support networks and personal empowerment in key social abilities. As a result, the treatment process for schizophrenia patients should incorporate diverse stakeholders such as family, friends and the community (Veague & Levitt, 2007). Furthermore, the treatment process should emphasise the need for cure, prevention and management of the disease in the most effective way. World Health Organisation (2008) noted that positive community setting constitute appropriate means of treating and managing schizophrenia, whereby, care is provided at community level with active involvement of family members and other community members such as friends ( cited in Funaki, 2009). This helps the patient to regain confident in society and increase his or her self-esteem. Besides, given the complex nature of schizophrenia, it is necessary to develop an integrated and collaborative model of treatment (Pawluk & Zukow, 2011). Studies have established that integrated treatment that emphasise collaboration is associated with positive outcomes (Alanen, 2009; Wiersma, Jenner, Nienhuis & Willige, 2004). Besides, integrated treatment model has been found to be effective in reducing numerous psychosocial symptoms associated with schizophrenia and other mental disease (Lieberman & Murray, 2012; Lake, 2006). Conclusion Schizophrenia is regarded as one of the mental illnesses that affect a sizeable population in the world today. It is an illness that constitutes a devastating disorder that reflects severe emotional, physical and financial consequences for the victims and those affected by the illness. As a result, an effective treatment process is necessary. According to the movie, it can be concluded that a comprehensive treatment process that is inclusive and incorporates both medical and non-medical strategies is appropriate for schizophrenia patients. References Alanen, Y. (2009). Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Schizophrenic Psychoses: Past, Present and Future. Easy Sussex: Routledge. Barlow, D. H., & Durand, V. M. (2008). Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. Belmont: Cengage Learning. Compton, M. T., & Kotwicki, R. J. (2007). Responding to Individuals with Mental Illnesses. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Funaki, T. (2009). Nash: Genius with Schizophrenia or Vice Versa? Pacific Health Dialogue, 15(2): 129-138. Lake, J. (2006). Textbook of Integrative Mental Health Care. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers. Lauriello, J., & Pallanti, S. (2012). Clinical Manual for Treatment of Schizophrenia. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publication. Lenzenweger, M. F. (2010). 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(2010). The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. Wiersma, D., Jenner, J. A., Nienhuis, F. J., & Willige, G. (2004). Hallucination Focused Integrative Treatment Improves Quality of Life in Schizophrenia Patients. Physchiatrica Scandinavica, 109(3): 194-201. Read More