Why Pop Culture Should Have Better Representation of Mental Illnesses

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Why Pop Culture Should Have Better Representation of Mental Illnesses

When people are writing books or scripts, they are typically on a mission to write a story that relies on some form of shock value. If you want to keep the viewers engaged or surprised, you almost need to have a dramatic or violent scene. Think about the times you read a book or movie about something that was based on a true story, and you found yourself wondering about whether it was accurate.

Characters With Mental Illnesses

In Hollywood, movies about people with mental illnesses aren’t necessarily represented with accuracy, dignity, or compassion. You will often see movies romanticizing things like suicide or self-harm. You may see really self-destructive behaviors turned into scenes of characters that are misunderstood, desirable, and in need of rescue.

There are many movies and TV shows in Hollywood that paint a picture of a “crazy” female character that is usually suffering from a borderline personality disorder (BPD) or bipolar disorder. Although suicidal thoughts and self-harm are often symptoms of these disorders, there is more to it than the self-centered behavior and self-destructive patterns we see in movies.

Characters with mental disorders should have more than one-dimensional representations of who they are. A one-dimensional representation can be hurtful to people who have these disorders and can make people who don’t have them get a false idea of what it’s like.

Pop Culture’s Lack of a Full Scope

One of the larger issues in television is the failure to depict the well-roundedness of the person with a disorder like BPD. There’s usually an incomplete idea of the person distorted through the lens of another character’s potentially biased views. This representation displays a lack of empathy on the writer’s behalf.

In some cases, it seems like the character is merely there to complicate the story, and writers rarely ever consult with people who have to live with these disorders every day to ensure accuracy. Some people may not even know that movies like Fight Club are based on a real-life disorder, but it is extremely dramatized for entertainment purposes.

Showing a full scope of mental illness is important, not only for the people who are dealing with one but also for those who do not know of it at all. As the world becomes more aware of the problematic pieces of content in the past, it’s time to admit that there is somewhat of an obsession with creating characters who act without rhyme or reason. Pop culture has years of built-up calluses towards real-life people who are dealing with these same problems. As time goes by, awareness is growing, but it’s not where it needs to be.

Time for a Change

Mental illnesses are highly stigmatized, even in the medical community. You can find various mental health content that labels people with BPD as manipulative, difficult, and dramatic. Some therapists even refuse to work with people who possess symptoms that mirror BPD. They believe that these patients could be too difficult to treat.

When creating the characters for movies, writers should attempt to convey that people with BPD are not consciously manipulative. They are asking for their needs to be met in the best way they know-how, and it’s often not done in the most healthy way. In these Hollywood movies, viewers need to see the characters’ inner turmoil to show the journey of battling their problems. The focus shouldn’t just be the symptoms and destructive behaviors but also the emotions and needs that make these behaviors surface. This can help the audience get a better idea of the disorders, instead of vilifying those who are suffering.

Proper representation of any mental illness or disability can only be done through working with people who have lived with these experiences. Creating characters with fully formed characteristics requires genuine curiosity, empathy, and the willingness to understand an experience that is different from their own. Consulting with people who have lived these experiences is the first step toward an accurate portrayal of mental illnesses in Hollywood.

Dealing with a mental disorder is not easy, and many people who are diagnosed are acutely aware of their behaviors. They work hard to manage them and prevent harmful outcomes. Too often do movies and television shows portray people with mental disorders as volatile, manipulative, and crazy, which compounds their struggle. The media should be held accountable for the content they produce, and people should speak up when on-screen portrayals of mental health are disrespectful or rob people of their dignity.

Mental health is something that should always be taken seriously, even if it’s a topic in a movie or television show. So many people are struggling with different mental health issues at different levels of severity. This means that it’s important to have the right representation to be putting out the right message. Although these characters most often are fictitious, everyone isn’t capable of distinguishing between the two. It’s safe to say there is a lot of room to grow for content creators in the realm of mental health. For those who are actively dealing with mental health problems, there are people who are here to help you and your family. Facilities like The Kimberly Center offer plenty of treatment options that can change your life for the better. Our treatment options are great for those who are dealing with addiction, as well as anxiety or depression. Contact us at (855) 452-3683.

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