It Is Commonly Said During Oscar Season That The Best Way Fo

It Is Commonly Said During Oscar Season That The Best Way For An Actor

It is commonly said during Oscar season that the best way for an actor to win an Academy Award is to play a deeply disturbed person. For this final application assignment, I will develop a list of four performances by gifted actors, identifying the disorders they skillfully portray. Then, I will select a psychological film—either from the provided list or another film of my choosing—and analyze the disorder depicted, proposing the best treatment plan based on my knowledge from Chapter 16. I will identify the character’s signs, symptoms, or background that suggest the diagnosis, and specify the treatment method used or most appropriate, such as psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or biomedical approaches including relevant medications. I will support my analysis with examples from the film and textbook references, citing all sources according to APA guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

Throughout cinematic history, portrayals of mental health disorders by talented actors have fascinated audiences and earned critical acclaim, often translating into Oscar wins. The effectiveness of such performances hinges on the actor’s ability to convincingly embody complex psychological states, which also informs the viewer’s understanding of these conditions. This paper begins with a selected list of four distinguished performances, then analyzes a chosen film, identifying the disorders depicted and proposing suitable treatment approaches based on current psychological theories and practices.

Selected Performances and Their Corresponding Disorders

1. Joaquin Phoenix in "Joker" (2019): Phoenix portrayed Arthur Fleck, a man suffering from a combination of mental health issues including psychosis, social alienation, and possible pseudobulbar affect. The character's signs include erratic behavior, emotional lability, and hallucinations, aligning with diagnoses such as schizophrenia or a severe mood disorder with psychotic features. Phoenix’s intense commitment showcased the internal chaos and societal neglect contributing to his psychological breakdown.

2. Anthony Hopkins in "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991): Hopkins played Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. The portrayal indicated antisocial personality disorder, characterized by manipulativeness, lack of remorse, and superficial charm. His background of trauma and manipulation supported this diagnosis, which was convincingly depicted through his calm, controlled demeanor paired with chilling psychopathic tendencies.

3. Robin Williams in "Good Will Hunting" (1997): Williams portrayed Sean Maguire, a psychologist who helps the troubled protagonist confront deep-seated emotional scars. Although the film does not portray his disorder explicitly, Williams’ character exhibits traits of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, including emotional numbness and difficulty trusting others, based on his personal history of loss.

4. Jack Nicholson in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" (1975): Nicholson’s portrayal of R.P. McMurphy captures the essence of antisocial or borderline personality disorder. Signs include impulsivity, defiance of authority, and difficulty adhering to social norms. The background of institutionalization and rebellion map onto these assessments.

Analysis of a Select Film: "Silver Linings Playbook"

In "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012), Jennifer Lawrence plays Tiffany, a woman dealing with bipolar disorder. Her signs include extreme mood swings, impulsive decision-making, hyperactivity, and episodes of depression and mania. Her background includes a personal history of trauma, substance abuse, and emotional instability, which collectively point to bipolar disorder, specifically Bipolar I disorder, characterized by episodes of mania and depression.

Diagnosis and Treatment Recommendations

The symptoms manifested by Tiffany—marked fluctuations in mood, impulsivity, and episodes of euphoric behavior—are consistent with bipolar disorder. Based on her presentation, the most appropriate treatment would include a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

Pharmacologically, mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproate would be essential to control manic episodes, as supported by empirical evidence indicating their efficacy in stabilizing mood swings (Geddes & Miklowitz, 2013). Antipsychotic medications might also be prescribed to manage acute manic symptoms or psychosis if present. Additionally, antidepressants could be considered cautiously to address depressive phases, but with careful monitoring to prevent triggering mania (Suppes et al., 2010).

Psychotherapeutic approaches would complement medication management. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist Tiffany in identifying and modifying thought patterns that lead to impulsive behaviors and emotional dysregulation. Psychoeducation about her disorder is vital for long-term management, fostering self-awareness and improving compliance with treatment (Miklowitz, 2018). Family-focused therapy might also be beneficial, helping her build a support system.

When considering treatment adherence issues often seen in bipolar disorder, techniques like psychoeducation and motivational interviewing enhance patient engagement (Perry et al., 2019). Continuous monitoring and adjusting medication doses would be critical, as bipolar disorder necessitates a dynamic and individualized treatment plan.

Conclusion

Portrayals of mental health disorders in film serve both an educational and artistic purpose, helping audiences understand complex conditions through vivid characterizations. Accurate depictions by talented actors, coupled with appropriate treatment strategies, can promote awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. In analyzing these performances and their underlying psychology, mental health professionals can improve their understanding of patient experiences and therapeutic approaches, emphasizing the importance of personalized, evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each individual’s unique presentation.

References

• Geddes, J. R., & Miklowitz, D. J. (2013). Treatment of bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1672–1682.
• Miklowitz, D. J. (2018). bipolar disorder: A clinician's guide to research-informed treatment. Guilford Publications.
• Perry, A., et al. (2019). Enhancing medication adherence in bipolar disorder: Strategies and challenges. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 25(6), 459-468.
• Suppes, T., et al. (2010). Pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder: an overview. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 71(8), e1-e9.
• Johnson, S. L. (2005). Mania and dysregulation of affect. In F. A. editors, Handbook of Mood Disorders (pp. 119-135). Routledge.
• Harrow, M., & Jobe, T. H. (2014). Chronicity and the course of bipolar disorder. Psychiatric Clinics, 37(4), 601-620.
• Van Rossum, L. M., et al. (2017). Psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD006652.
• Kato, T. (2015). Bipolar disorder: altered circadian rhythms and connectomics. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 125(4), 2302–2308.
• Malhi, G. S., et al. (2017). Bipolar disorder: Diagnosis and management. Australian Family Physician, 46(11), 823-828.
• Frank, E., et al. (2015). Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 76(1), 11-17.