Most characters displayed positive symptoms of schizophrenia. By spreading and promoting myths about schizophrenia and violence, these industries have caused great damage to the struggle to reduce shame associated with mental illness. A coding checklist of all variables was devised. The impact of underrepresentation of members of racial and ethnic minority groups in movies about schizophrenia on members of those groups is unknown. The specific types of treatments shown or alluded to by the movie were noted on the coding sheet. For instance, Dr. Patricia Owen, a psychology professor at St. Mary’s University in Texas, focuses on the media’s impact on abnormal psychology, which is a field that focuses on mental disorders. It does not make someone dangerous or violent. I am sure no deliberate offence is intended and there have been far worse examples in the media when discussing people with mental health problems but such language does … Psychiatric News 42:6, 2007 Link, Google Scholar, 9 Dinan TG : Schizophrenia: illness, stigma, and misconceptions. First, almost half of movie characters were judged to be of low socioeconomic status, consistent with epidemiological data demonstrating the inverse relationship between socioeconomic status and schizophrenia (29). 44, No. In addition, a majority of characters engaged in self-harm, and 24% committed suicide, a misleading characterization given that suicide rates among individuals with schizophrenia are estimated to range from 10% to 16%. These experiences are more associated with dissociative identity disorder. Schizophrenia Bulletin 29:383–391, 2003 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar. 3, Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. No other disorder arouses as much anxiety in the general public, the media, and doctors. In addition, the stereotype of people with schizophrenia as having superior intellect or creativity had limited support in movies, although a few characters had genius abilities. According to a review of over 400 movies featuring psychotherapy, only one movie showed effective use of drug therapy (19). You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Although all of the movies contained misinformation about schizophrenia, in a few movies the misinformation was judged to be inconsequential and did not detract from an overall accurate and compelling portrayal of schizophrenia. 6, Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, Vol. : Crime victimization in adults with severe mental illness: comparison with the National Crime Victimization Survey. The myths that traumatic events cause schizophrenia and that love cures schizophrenia were found in some movies but not as frequently as has been suggested (7,19,20). Movies have been criticized for paying negligible attention to psychopharmacological treatments for mental illness (19), while featuring other treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy (21) and catharsis (19), as commonplace. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 15:684–693, 2008 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 36 Wolff G , Pathare S , Craig T , et al. Violence toward others was coded as nonhomicidal or homicidal; attempted murder was coded as homicidal. Unfortunately, the news media and the entertainment industry must take considerable responsibility in the stigma schizophrenia patients and their families battle daily. We as a society eat this up. 12, No. Archives of General Psychiatry 62:911–921, 2005 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 13 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed, rev. Joker Late walking 4. This study had some challenges and limitations. : Stigmatization of people with mental illnesses. One family’s struggle with schizophrenia. Common misconceptions are that schizophrenics are violent, drink alcohol heavily or use narcotics, behave comically, or suffer from a non-curable disorder. : Ten-year prospective follow-up study of the mortality by suicide in schizophrenic patients. A majority of characters were male (N=33, 79%) and Caucasian (N=40, 95%). Treatment was coded as primarily psychological (for example, psychotherapy), biological (for example, medications), or a combination. That the general public holds misinformed beliefs and negative attitudes about serious mental illness has been well documented (32–34). A majority (N=31, 74%) of movies did not identify any causal factors associated with schizophrenia, although about one-fourth (N=10, 24%) stated or implied that traumatic events were responsible for a character's schizophrenia. Future efforts extending this line of research would contribute to the discourse on the optimal uses of entertainment media to correct misinformation about schizophrenia and to promote an informed understanding of those with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Eight characters (19%) showed flat affect, and two (5%) showed alogia and avolition. [A table listing the movies and characters is available online as a data supplement to this article.] Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 33:232–239, 1999 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 29 Bresnahan M , Begg MD , Brown A , et al. : Community attitudes to mental illness. World Psychiatry 2:121–124, 2003 Medline, Google Scholar, 2 Wahl OF : News media portrayal of mental illness: implications for public policy. Not only does this stigmatize the diagnosis, but it also inflates the reality of knowing someone with the diagnosis. Archives of General Psychiatry 64:14–16, 2007 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 31 Gabbard G : Psychotherapy in Hollywood cinema. The purpose of this study was to provide a content analysis of the portrayal of schizophrenia in contemporary movies to ascertain the prevalence of stereotypes and misinformation about schizophrenia. Cambridge, Mass, Hogrefe, 2010 Google Scholar, 4 Akram A , O'Brien A , O'Neill A , et al. We love seeing mentally unstable characters in movies chase “normal” characters around with a chainsaw. This myth may come from the fact that the name ‘schizophrenia’ derives from two Greek words meaning ‘split’ and ‘mind’. New York, Facts on File, 2007 Google Scholar, 17 Rosen A , Walter G , Politis T , et al. Schizophrenia does not cause someone to be violent. Australasian Psychiatry 9:365–369, 2001 Crossref, Google Scholar, 32 Crisp AH , Gelder MG , Rix S , et al. Newspaper media are a major source of information about mental illness in the United States. Inaccurate and negative portrayals have potential significance for how viewers interpret media messages about schizophrenia and how these interpretations inform attitudes and beliefs among both the general public and among those with schizophrenia. The movies emphasized positive symptoms of schizophrenia and featured visual hallucinations as commonplace despite the fact that negative symptoms of schizophrenia are more common. Some people will have one or two episodes and go on make a … With Prejudice Toward Individuals With Mental Illness, End-of-Life in Disney and Pixar Films: An opportunity for Engaging in Difficult Conversation, Perceptions of schizophrenia in the Australian community: 2005–2017, Connectivity and dysconnectivity: A brief history of functional connectivity research in schizophrenia and future directions, Listening to the Voices People Hear: Auditory Hallucinations Beyond a Diagnostic Framework, The Impact of Films on Viewer Attitudes towards People with Schizophrenia, Community Health Workers: a Resource to Support Antipsychotic Medication Adherence. Over 70 movies were viewed, and 41 met inclusion criteria. The surprisingly rich contours of schizophrenia epidemiology, Stigmatization of people with mental illnesses, Public conceptions of mental illness: labels, causes, dangerousness, and social distance, Of fear and loathing: the role of “disturbing behavior,” labels, and causal attributions in shaping public attitudes toward people with mental illness, Mental illness: diagnostic title or derogatory term? Understanding the Term ‘Schizophrenia’ 4. The myth of schizophrenia and violence, that people with schizophrenia are inherently violent, persists. : Predicting violence in schizophrenia: a prospective study. Lancet 366:1471–1483, 2005 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 16 Noll R : The Encyclopedia of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders, 3rd ed. It is anticipated that results will help clarify the prevalence and nature of stereotypes and misinformation foundin this widely patronized entertainment medium. 4, New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, Vol. There is more media misinformation about schizophrenia than about any other type of mental health problem. Considerable evidence indicates a substantial biological basis for schizophrenia (16) and use of antipsychotic medications—not electroconvulsive therapy or catharsis—as first-line treatment of schizophrenia symptoms. Previous research has shown that some printed material has been both negative and stigmatizing, which can have a detrimental impact on individuals with mental illnesses. : Race and risk of schizophrenia in a US birth cohort: another example of health disparity? American Behavioral Scientist 46:1594–1600, 2003 Crossref, Google Scholar, 3 Wedding D , Boyd M , Niemiec RM : Movies and Mental Illness: Using Films to Understand Psychopathology, 3rd ed rev. A diagnosis of schizophrenia does not mean 'split personality', or indicate that someone will be calm one minute and then be 'out of control' the next. However, such underrepresentation raises interesting questions about whether the paucity of non-Caucasian movie characters might affect help seeking and treatment decisions among members of minority racial and ethnic groups with schizophrenia and even contribute to greater endorsement of stigma by members of these groups toward persons with mental illness (44). Schizophrenia Research 67:247–252, 2004 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 12 Teplin LA , McClelland GM , Abram KM , et al. This study analyzed portrayals of schizophrenia in contemporary movies to ascertain prevalence of stereotypes and misinformation about schizophrenia. 31, No. In reality, although some schizophrenia symptoms may be bizarre and grossly disorganized, the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as affective flattening and avolition, are more prominent, and auditory hallucinations are far more prevalent than visual hallucinations (13). Early treatment may help get symptoms under control before serious complications develop and may help improve the long-term outlook. In movies in which the character's residential circumstances changed, the predominant residence was coded. Treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy and cathartic cures, which have been purported to be common in movies featuring serious mental illness (19,21), were infrequently depicted. The exclusion of other visual media featuring characters with schizophrenia may have affected the generalizability of the findings. The author reports no competing interests. Nonsuicidal self-harm by people with schizophrenia has been observed (15), but its prevalence is unknown (16). There's more misinformation in the media about schizophrenia than about any other type of mental health problem. The cinematic association of schizophrenia with behavior that is violent, unpredictable, and seemingly without justification potentially fuels an “us versus them” mentality that conveys the message that people with schizophrenia are different and should be feared and avoided. : Crossing the line—learning psychiatry at the movies. A Beautiful Mind (2001) Perhaps the best-known movie about schizophrenia, “A Beautiful Mind” is a … Stories in the news and on TV shows are often sensationalised and misleading. There's a connection between neurotransmitters and schizophrenia because drugs that alter the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain are known to relieve some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Although one review of epidemiological studies (10) found that people with schizophrenia were more violent than the general population, much of this violence appeared to be attributable to a small subgroup of people with comorbid substance abuse and a history of violence (1,11). 44, No. Two researchers independently rated each character with a checklist that assessed demographic characteristics, symptoms and stereotypes, causation, and treatment. A second challenge concerned the decision to include movies with characters identified as having schizophrenia even though their actions did not meet criteria for schizophrenia. Nevertheless, clearly there is a need to provide accurate information about mental illness to counter the negative messages found in mass media. Dr. Owen is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, St. Mary's University, 1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228 (e-mail: 9 June 2020 | Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. Medical Journal of Australia 167:640–644, 1997 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 18 Hyler SE : DSM-III at the cinema: madness in movies. There are some common myths or mistaken beliefs about schizophrenia which come from the media. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including with new information specifically addressed to individuals in the European Economic Area. The consistently negative media portrayals of people living with schizophrenia certainly bring that theory into question. Schizophrenia is just as much a disease as cancer, but the horrific twist the media places on it makes it seem ominous. The earliest indications of childhood schizophrenia may include developmental problems, such as: 1. An important question concerns the interaction of media-informed knowledge and attitudes about schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses and stigma and discrimination toward those with a mental illness. Movies were included in the content analysis if a main character's unusual behavior or affect was attributed to schizophrenia or if a main character met DSM-IV-TR (13) criteria for diagnosis of schizophrenia by displaying at least two symptoms of schizophrenia (or only one if the symptom was a delusion judged as bizarre) and by showing significant distress or impairment in psychosocial functioning. The cinematic character with schizophrenia typically is Caucasian and male, characteristics that are counter to actual incidence data. About one-fourth of characters committed suicide. Media analysts (8,9) have criticized movies for associating schizophrenia with unpredictable and often violent behaviors. Popular movies are considered especially powerful influences on attitude formation about mental illness (3,39). Indeed, a literature review (24) of 34 empirical studies of media portrayals of mental illness published between 1990 and 2003 found only three studies that discussed movies and none of them analyzed depictions of schizophrenia (19,25,26). Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 48:657–662, 2003 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 44 Corrigan P , Green A , Lundin R , et al. 3, No. Critics have faulted movies for their emphasis on the grossly disorganized and bizarre behaviors of characters with schizophrenia, many of whom are shown experiencing vivid visual hallucinations (4,16). Positive symptoms (bizarre delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior) and negative symptoms (alogia, avolition, and flat affect) consistent with DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia were coded (13). 1, Early Intervention in Psychiatry, Vol. As described in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. There's more misinformation in the media about schizophrenia than about any other type of mental health problem. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies. Voices. Estimated age ranged from preteen to 70 years old, and slightly less than half (N=18, 43%) of the characters were in their twenties. The truth is: It does not mean someone has a 'split personality'. English-language movies featuring at least one main character with schizophrenia that were released for showing in theaters between 1990 and 2010 were analyzed for depictions of schizophrenia. A majority of characters displayed violent behavior toward themselves or others, and nearly one-third of violent characters engaged in homicidal behavior. 4, 5 December 2019 | American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal, Vol. These experiences are more associated with dissociative identity disorder. Moreover, the portrayal of schizophrenia in the media has been widely censured by many scholars. Woman admits killing 88-year-old church warden in village shop. Although movie characters with schizophrenia were almost exclusively Caucasian, and a majority were male, in the United States, African Americans have significantly higher rates of schizophrenia compared with other racial groups (29) and males have only a slightly higher incidence rate of schizophrenia than females (30). Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. These portrayals disseminate misinformation about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of schizophrenia as well as other forms of severe mental illness. These media, however, have been widely criticized for their negatively stereotypic and inaccurate depictions of mental illness (1,2). In media portrayal of schizophrenia, such as A Beautiful Mind, schizophrenic characters are depicted as dangerous, violent, distrusting, paranoid, awkward, and unstable people that need to be hospitalized due to exaggerated delusions and hallucinations. Some studies indicate an imbalance between the 2 may be the basis of the problem. They review and reflect on some of the ways mental health has been portrayed in the media, including TV episodes and newspaper articles.The way mental illness is portrayed and reported in the media is incredibly powerful in educating and influencing the public. Five characters (12%) were depicted as possessing visionary insights or paranormal abilities that ostensibly allowed interaction with otherworldly and often malevolent forces. Gender, race or ethnicity, and estimates of age range and socioeconomic status were coded for each character. Over two decades ago, Hyler and coauthors (5) noted the absence of well-controlled studies of movie portrayals of patients with a mental illness and recommended using psychiatric taxonomic criteria to analyze the content of movies. If a cause was specified—such as genetics or schizophrenogenic parent—it was noted on the coding sheet. 57, No. Schizophrenia is categorised by so called ‘positive symptoms’ such as hearing voices (hallucinations) and ‘negative symptoms’ (disordered thinking, poor motivation, poor social function). 1, 26 June 2019 | Journal of Mental Health, Vol. English-language commercial movies that featured at least one character with schizophrenia and that were released for theatrical showing between 1990 and 2010 were viewed in their entirety. Comprehensive Psychiatry 29:195–206, 1988 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 19 Gabbard K , Gabbard GO : Psychiatry and the Cinema. A few studies have found visual media to be effective in correcting misinformation about schizophrenia (40,45) and effective in increasing empathy toward persons with schizophrenia (43). Research suggests schizophrenia may be caused by a change in the level of 2 neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin. The Feelings an Individual with Schizophrenia May Experience 7. Negative stereotypic portrayals of mental illness appear to be particularly characteristic of movies portraying more severe psychopathologies, such as schizophrenia. Negative symptoms were less frequently depicted. 155, 20 December 2019 | Community Mental Health Journal, Vol. 5, International Journal of Mental Health, Vol. Examples of environmental causes are traumatic events or dysfunctional family interactions. JCLP/In Session: Psychotherapy in Practice 59:207–215, 2003 Google Scholar, 8 Gabbard G : Schizophrenia on filmmaker's canvas. Of movies alluding to or showing treatment, psychotropic medications were most commonly portrayed. Hospital and Community Psychiatry 42:1044–1048, 1991 Abstract, Google Scholar, 6 Byrne P : Fall and rise of the movie ‘psycho killer.’ Psychiatric Bulletin 22:174–176, 1998 Crossref, Google Scholar, 7 Wedding D , Niemiec RM : The clinical use of films in psychotherapy. Others have found a change in th… Psychiatric Services 52:953–958, 2001 Link, Google Scholar, 45 Penn DL , Chamberlin C , Mueser KT : The effects of a documentary film about schizophrenia on psychiatric stigma. Of notable concern is the finding that the “homicidal maniac” stereotype associated with schizophrenia is prevalent in contemporary movies. Negative symptoms, which contribute significantly to the disability associated with schizophrenia are hard to treat with currently available medication. International Review of Psychiatry 21:267–268, 2009 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 5 Hyler SE , Gabbard GO , Schneider I : Homicidal maniacs and narcissistic parasites: stigmatization of mentally ill persons in the movies. The finding that misinformation and negative portrayals of schizophrenia in contemporary movies are common underscores the importance of determining how viewers interpret media messages and how these interpretations inform attitudes and beliefs both of the general public and of people with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia in particular engenders intense negative attitudes (35), which appear to be based on fears of dangerousness and violence (36). Sources for locating movies were Internet and print movie databases that allowed a search by topic or keyword. Although the word ‘schizophrenia’ is often associated with violence in the media, this is the exception rather than the rule. (Psychiatric Services 63:655–659, 2012; doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201100371). Although a special empathetic understanding may help in symptom management, the notion of cure through a loving relationship is fiction. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Media Coverage and How It Can Cause Fear and Misunderstanding in Regard to Schizophrenia 5. Sensational stories in the media tend to present people with schizophrenia as dangerous, even though most people diagnosed with schizophrenia don't commit violent crimes. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 107:163–169, 2003 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 40 Owen P : Dispelling myths about schizophrenia using film. International Review of Psychiatry 21:241–244, 2009 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 22 Gharaibeh NM : The psychiatrist's image in commercially available American movies. 36, No. Schizophrenia Bulletin 30:543–561, 2004 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 25 Bischoff RJ , Reiter AD : The role of gender in the presentation of mental health clinicians in the movies: implications for clinical practice. Studies of this question have been criticized for having a number of methodological limitations (24). Rates of suicide completion were estimated to be ten to 16 times higher among people with schizophrenia than among the general population (13,14). If a character's symptoms could be attributed to a general medical condition or to the direct effects of a substance (13), the movie was excluded. Schizophrenia affects thinking, feeling and behaviour. Profits and yellow journalism cause the stigma schizophrenia pa… Delusions were featured most frequently, followed by auditory and visual hallucinations. Cohen's kappa for agreement between the two raters ranged from .78 (flat affect) to perfect agreement (genius and socioeconomic status). Keyword search terms were “schizophrenia,” “mental illness” or “mental problems,” “psychiatric illness” or “psychiatric problems,” “psychological illness” or “psychological problems,” “psychosis,” “insanity,” “crazy,” “hallucinations,” and “delusions” or “delusional.”. Unpredictable behaviors and dangerous or violent (nonhomicidal and homicidal) behaviors occurring in the active or the residual phase of schizophrenia were coded. Only two characters, both African-American males, represented minority groups. : Public conceptions of mental illness: labels, causes, dangerousness, and social distance. Other abnormal motor behaviors — for example, rocking or arm flapping Some of these signs and symptoms are also common in children with pervasive developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder. Ten (24%) characters committed suicide. 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Almost half (N=19, 45%) of the characters were judged to be of below average or low socioeconomic status, and ten (24%) were judged to be of high socioeconomic status. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training 36:180–189, 1999 Crossref, Google Scholar, 26 Wahl O , Wood A , Zaveri P , et al. Misinformation about symptoms, causes, and numerous other movie anthologies available or! Schizophrenia does not mean someone has a 'split personality ' movies, Netflix, Time out film Guide, movie. Or in print have been faulted for misrepresenting mental illness Rix S et! 17 Rosen a, O'Brien a, Walter G, Politis T, et.! By many scholars schizophrenia patients and their families often find it hard to access good care symptoms under control serious! Was specified—such as genetics or schizophrenogenic parent—it was noted on the coding.... Theatrical release 107:163–169, 2003 Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar, 8 Gabbard G psychotherapy. 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