Awakenings Guide For Movie Response Paper 1 Describe The ✓ Solved

Awakenings (Guide for Movie Response Paper) 1. Describe the

1. Describe the symptoms of the character Lenny in childhood as well as adulthood.

2. Describe Lucy’s symptoms.

3. In Lenny’s, Lucy’s and the other similar cases, how do their symptoms compare with those of people with schizophrenia?

4. Describe Dr. Sayer’s “will” theory in regard to his patients’ reactions to the ball. Relate this to the “will” of some people with schizophrenia.

5. What various stimuli make these patients react? (i.e., what reaches them?)

6. Why might these patients have been diagnosed as suffering from “atypical schizophrenia”?

7. Unlike the case of schizophrenia, we know what caused these patients’ disorder. What was it?

8. The older doctor says these patients aren’t thinking, “the virus didn’t spare their higher faculties.” Dr. Sayer asks how he knows that. The older doctor replies, “Because the alternative is unthinkable.” What does he mean by that? What effect did this point of view have on these patients’ diagnosis and treatment? Can you relate this to schizophrenia or mental illness in general?

9. Why does it bother Dr. Sayer that Lucy was drawn to the window rather than to the drinking fountain? Can you relate this to Maslow?

10. The EEG indicates what about Lenny?

11. Dr. Sayer uses an unusual technique to assess his patients. What is it?

12. What finally moves Burt?

13. Why does the poem, “The Panther,” have special significance for Lenny?

14. What is L-Dopa? It is used in the treatment of what disorder?

15. Dr. Sayer parallels Parkinson’s and his patients’ disorder. Describe this.

16. The dopamine circuit is affected in opposite ways in Parkinson’s and schizophrenia. Phenothiazines taken for a long period produce Parkinson-like symptoms in the person with schizophrenia. Knowing this and knowing the effect on phenothiazine on the dopamine circuit, explain why you think L-Dopa “awakes” Dr. Sayer’s patients.

17. What are the various psychological reactions the patients have to their “awakenings”?

18. What Parkinson-like symptoms does Lenny exhibit when he develops tolerance to L-Dopa?

19. One doctor describes Lenny as being paranoid. How does Dr. Sayer explain this? Describe this in terms of labeling theory.

20. What ethical questions are raised in this movie regarding treatment? What is your opinion?

21. What is the second “awakening” Dr. Sayer refers to at the end of the movie? What does this suggest about the treatment of mental patients?

Paper For Above Instructions

The film "Awakenings," directed by Penny Marshall and based on the true story recounted by Dr. Oliver Sacks, explores the lives of patients who, after decades in a catatonic state due to encephalitis lethargica, experience a temporary revitalization through the drug L-Dopa. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of Dr. Malcolm Sayer and his patients, notably Lenny and Lucy, providing profound insights into neurological disorders and mental illness.

1. In childhood, Lenny displays symptoms including a lack of coordination and atypical behavior, reflective of his neurological impairment. In adulthood, these symptoms manifest more severely, characterised by an inability to interact with his environment, catatonia, and stunted cognitive function, which aligns with the broader implications of severe neurological damage.

2. Lucy exhibits similar symptoms of emotional detachment and impaired communication. She displays a lack of awareness of her surroundings and minimal responsive actions, which starkly contrasts her vibrant personality when normalized by L-Dopa treatment. This highlights the transformative effects of the medication as well as the underlying struggles with her neurological condition.

3. The symptoms observed in Lenny and Lucy, while unique to their conditions, draw parallels to schizophrenia in certain emotional and cognitive dysfunctions, such as disorganized thinking or impaired social interactions. However, schizophrenia is often defined more by hallucinations and delusions than the profound neural deficits seen in encephalitis lethargica.

4. Dr. Sayer's "will" theory posits that the patients' reactions to stimuli, like a bouncing ball, are indicative of an underlying desire and awareness, even when it seems dormant. He connects this to instances of “will” seen in some people with schizophrenia, suggesting that a desire to interact with their environment may still exist beneath surface symptoms.

5. Various stimuli, particularly those associated with sensory engagement, elicit reactions from these patients. Music, light, and familiar voices serve as catalysts, providing evidence that certain sensory inputs can provoke cognitive responses despite diminished capacities.

6. These patients might be diagnosed as suffering from “atypical schizophrenia” due to their significant behavioral and emotional disconnection, which can superficially resemble the social withdrawal commonly observed in schizophrenia, despite fundamentally different etiologies.

7. The pertinent cause of the patients' disorder is identified as encephalitis lethargica, a viral infection leading to brain inflammation that adversely impacts function and cognition. This stands in contrast to schizophrenia, where causes remain largely idiopathic.

8. The assertion that “the virus didn’t spare their higher faculties” reflects a deterministic view of the disease's impact. This implies that if cognitive capabilities have been affected, the implications for treatment options and prognosis may be dire. Such beliefs can lead to diminished expectations and inadequate care for those diagnosed with severe mental illnesses, contributing to a broader conversation about stigmatization and treatment limitations faced by individuals with schizophrenia.

9. Dr. Sayer’s concern regarding Lucy's attraction to the window rather than the drinking fountain illustrates a deeper psychological need for exploration and beauty, which Maslow identifies as self-actualization. This choice symbolizes a search for meaning and autonomy amidst her condition.

10. An EEG of Lenny reveals disrupted neural activity; fluctuations indicate brain function inconsistencies typical of severe neurodegenerative conditions, reinforcing the critical need for proper diagnosis and treatment approaches.

11. Dr. Sayer employs a technique of sensitivity to patient responses during treatment, rather than traditional methods—this unconventional approach fosters a deeper degree of empathy and connection as they navigate the complexities of their conditions.

12. Burt, one of the patients, is ultimately moved by the reawakening of his memories and emotional connections, which allows him to transcend his catatonic state momentarily and reclaim a sense of self.

13. The poem “The Panther” resonates with Lenny as it encapsulates feelings of entrapment and longing for freedom, mirroring his own experience of awakening and liberation through L-Dopa.

14. L-Dopa is a precursor to dopamine, utilized in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Its ability to increase dopamine levels facilitates improved motor and cognitive functions, which appears beneficial for the patients in the film.

15. Dr. Sayer draws parallels between Parkinson’s disease and the patients’ conditions, observing similarities in motor dysfunctions and cognitive impacts stemming from dopamine depletion or disruption.

16. The contrasting effects of dopamine circuitry in Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia illustrate why L-Dopa can induce awakening in patients like Lenny, as it compensates for deficits in dopamine that are foundational to their neurological impairments.

17. Psychological reactions to their awakenings include exhilaration, confusion, anxiety, and a desire for meaningful connections, underscoring the complex emotional tapestry experienced after years of disconnection.

18. As Lenny develops tolerance to L-Dopa, he begins to exhibit Parkinson-like symptoms including tremors, rigidity, and motor dysfunction, emphasizing the precarious balance of his neurological health post-treatment.

19. Dr. Sayer's explanation of Lenny's paranoia reflects labeling theory, positing that labels such as "paranoid" can influence how both patients and others perceive behavior. This stigma can ultimately exacerbate feelings of alienation and distress in those struggling with mental illness.

20. The film raises critical ethical questions about informed consent, patient autonomy, and the nature of treatment. In my opinion, it is vital for patients to be involved actively in their treatment plans and for healthcare professionals to consider the broader implications of their interventions.

21. The second “awakening” referred to by Dr. Sayer at the film's conclusion symbolizes an ongoing journey of discovery and growth in the treatment of mental illness. It emphasizes the need for continual evolution in understanding psychiatric conditions and a compassionate approach towards patient care.

References

• Sacks, O. (1982). Awakenings. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Maher, B. A. (1992). The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-III: A Historical Perspective. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 149(12), 1531-1537.
• Maslow, A. H. (1954). Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper & Row.
• Nusslock, R., & Miller, G. E. (2016). Early-Life Stress and Adult Inflammation: A Life-Span Approach. Psychological Bulletin, 142(5), 434-463.
• Freeman, T. W., & Barlow, D. H. (2012). The Role of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Schizophrenia. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 35(3), 603-618.
• Weinberger, D. R., & Kleinman, J. E. (2012). The Schizophrenia Paradigm: A Neurodevelopmental Phenotype. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(12), 1274-1282.
• McGorry, P. D., & Nelson, B. (2010). Early Psychosis and the Emerging Mental Health System. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(6), 587-593.
• Leweke, F. M., & Koethe, D. (2008). Cannabinoids and Psychosis. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 14(23), 2320-2329.
• Chaudhry, I. B., & Hinton, H. (2014). The Impact of the Environment on Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 49(1), 41-53.