The is a paper of mental disorder course. This assignment requires that you complete an 8-10 page (approximately) critical examination of the movie Silver Linings Playback, that focuses on the portray
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Critical Analysis of Silver Linings Playbook Films on (Mental Disorder)
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Introduction
The paper will illustrate and analyze bipolar disorder, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) along with the causes that restrict general people from seeking help based on the movie Silver Linings Playbook. It will also demonstrate whether the consequences of seeking medical help would be beneficial or would lead to unnecessary excessive medication. The sociological concept perceives an individual's external factors, conformity, and mental illness as a breakdown in the face of overwhelming environmental stress. The end goal of the paper is to pick up through the positive and negative representation of people living with mental illness, especially bipolar disorder, and the necessity to overcome the fear of stigma.
The silver lining is the best screenplay featuring Pat Solitano and Tiffany addressing how mental illness normally destroys families and how intimate relationships aided in the healing process of mental illness. Pat Solitano was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had a history of violence after discovering his ex-wife Nikki was engaging in extramarital affairs. Tiffany was experiencing depression and loneliness due to her husband's passing. Tiffany's sexual addiction was triggered by depression and loneliness, making it difficult to control her behavior (Horwitz, 2011). Both characters go under undiagnosed mental conditions due to social stigma. According to the social bond theory, family ties, commitment, and individual beliefs on social norms contribute to normalized behavior (NijdamJones et al., 2015). Pat and Tiffany conformed to social standards because they had close bonds with their family and believed in social norms. The stigma associated with being labeled a psychiatric patient exposed the patient to unnecessary medication. Mental illness approaches differently, bringing out empathy and negative representation such as social labeling, discrimination in the workplace, institutional discrimination through restraining orders, and negative public perception such as deviant behavior. As a result of social labeling, mentally impaired individuals end up detaching themselves from society. At the same time, deviant behavior creates relationship strain contributing to dysfunctional families, as depicted in Silver lining movie.
Mental Illness and Addiction Portrayed in the Silver Lining Movie
Silver lining playback film is based on a true story featuring Pat and Tiffany as two primary characters diagnosed with mental illness. Pat was released from the Baltimore mental health hospital and placed under the care of his father, Pat Sr., after getting treatment for bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a chronic episodic disorder that often manifests irregularly and involves the mood, hallucination, and poor concentration (Grande et al., 2016). Depressive episodes associated with bipolar may be accompanied by feelings of sadness, apathy, hopelessness, and a very low activity level (Grande et al., 2016). The patient may exhibit irrational conduct that results in property destruction, physical aggressiveness, shouting or sobbing, and hallucinations (Grande et al., 2016). These symptoms can also be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reflected in the movie.
According to the film, Pat exhibited bipolar disorder and symptoms of violent episodes resulting in the destruction of property when violent episodes trigger. For instance, after visiting the Patel clinic, Pat heard a song he disliked and pressured the receptionist to turn off the music; when she refused, he destroyed the book's cabin. These demonstrate the rage induced by bipolar disorder. On the other hand, Tiffany suffered from depression, anxiety, and a sense of uselessness after the death of her husband. Everyone, including her sisters, had developed a bad perception and attitude toward her behavior (Horwitz, 2011). Pat's parents did not view Tiffany as a positive influence on Pat's recovery until Tiffany persuaded Pat Sr. that her involvement with him helped him win many of his bets.
According to the film, mental illness greatly impacted the two characters since they could not control their emotions and were prone to violent outbursts due to a lack of emotional regulation (Horwitz, 2011). Tiffany lost her job, while Pat lost his wife, home, and teaching assistant position due to mental illness. According to studies, mental health impacts relationships with family, friends, and the community at large, with community members perceiving mental health behavior as deviant. A person engages in socially acceptable behavior because societal norms make it easy to conform to society's standards. However, cognitive impairment makes it harder for an individual to observe social norms and ties, making it difficult to comfort with social standards.
Studies indicate that married partners have better mental health than a single person because marriage provides stronger social and emotional support and makes marital partners more resilient to psychological trauma and stress (Horwitz, 2011). Unmarried women are more susceptible to anxiety and stress than married women. Tiffany's poor mental health, as depicted in by silver lining film, might have been caused by the death of her husband, leaving her without social and emotional support. Due to the death of Tiffany's partner, the loneliness and lack of emotional support might have worsened Tiffany’s mental health. Sexual addiction is induced by despair, and several emotional states, including depression, loneliness, and happiness. This emotional episode might have contributed to the inability of people with compulsive sexual activity to control their sexual behavior (Horwitz, 2011).
After the death of her husband, Tiffany experienced loneliness and grief over the loss of her three-and-a-half-year marriage, which might have made it difficult for her to suppress her sexual cravings (Horwitz, 2011). Gender roles may have contributed to women's mental health issues, particularly when women are in supportive family settings and both couples could share family responsibilities and finances. Tiffany was exposed to sadness, anxiety, and sexual addiction after the death of her husband, as depicted in the film Silver Lining. This was because she had no one to offer a shoulder to lean on when mentally demanding support and family responsibilities were all left for her to settle.
Hirschi Social Control Theory
Hirschi's social bonding theory suggests that an individual's attachment to others, belief in social norms, and dedication to and participation in traditional activities are the most influential factors in normalizing social conduct (NijdamJones et al., 2015). Hirsch hypothesizes that the deeper the degree of social control and the denser the network of social relationships, the more likely it is that individuals can conduct themselves in accordance with standards (NijdamJones et al., 2015). As depicted in the film Silver lining playbook, Pat Solitano and Tiffany's deviation from the social norm was motivated by the stress caused by relationship problems and grief.
Pat Solitano's violent outburst occurred after he witnessed his ex-lover wife, Nikki, having an extramarital affair in the shower. Due to anger and frustration, he severely beat the man. Pat Solitano exerted more effort than his ex-wife, Nikki, in maintaining the marriage relationship, which led to the development of relational strain that caused him greater misery. According to Paat & Markham's (2016) study, relationship discomfort and couple conflict greatly contribute to the increased chance of violent outbursts during dating or marriage. As depicted in the film, Tiffany, a widow, and a sex addict, had a mental condition related to depression and awful experiences after losing her spouse after three and a half years of marriage.
Others regarded Pat's behavior as deviant, although his bipolar disorder caused behavior that other people could perceive as deviant. His father, Pat Salitano, Sr., connected Pat's deviant behavior with his failure to take medication as prescribed, despite Pat's hardline claims that he could handle his illness without medication (Silver Linings Playbook, 2012). Individuals who are oblivious to the opinion or judgment of society have a diminished relationship with society, which explains Tiffany's conduct when Pat claimed that Tiffany had greater problems than his problem (Paat & Markham, 2016). Tiffany was not pleased by the comment claiming that Pat only saw her problem and did not see his problem, which was similar greater than her problems.
On the other hand, Tiffany had a sister on his side, while Pat's parents and brother were always close and supportive, although his father was a gabbler and engaged in illegal bookmaking. According to NijdamJones et al. (2015), commitment is the individual value placed on the time and effort invested in pursuing and attaining conventional activities and objectives. Due to the ties between their families and social norms, Tiffany and Pat followed divergent paths to conform to normal lifestyles. Despite their mental issues, Pat and Tiffany remained committed to their aims of adhering to social norms, with Pat concentrating on reconciling with his ex-wife.
Tiffany transformed from a sex addict to a person ready to find love by creating a good relationship with Pat. Pat was committed to reuniting with his ex-wife Nikki because he acknowledged that relationship stresses impact family relationships and that no relationship is exempt from strain. Pat's participation in the mental health treatment program gave him a tool to learn a new way of coping with mental challenges, empowered him to oversee his life, and moved him closer to recovery (Horwitz, 2011). However, Pat was unable to adhere to the prescribed prescription because he believed he could govern his life without the assistance of the medication prescribed by Dr. Patel.
Sanism and Impact of Psychiatric Labelling
Sanism is another concern observed in the movie on the silver lining. People ridicule Pat and Tiffany's mental situation. For instance, Pat's friend compared his accomplishments to Pat's failures by stating that he has a wife, a home, and a job, whereas Pat lost his job, his wife, and both of his residences, a circumstance that did not interest Pat Sr. The friend mocked Pat for his mental illness, which cost him his property and family. Tiffany, who had promised Pat that she would assist him in delivering a letter to his ex-wife, was not amused by Pat's continued ridicule of her mental state. These are a few film events depicting individuals making fun of other people's mental disorders and problems.
Stigmatization of mental illness is pervasive in all countries, and some research indicates that stigmatizing attitudes toward mentally disabled individuals have worsened over the past decade (Sims et al., 2021). Actual stigma is the actual prejudice or restriction mental illness patients suffer. Due to mental illness, social isolation leads to stigma. Pat's violent past, which included hitting his ex-wife's lover, caused him to be characterized as violent, and as a result, he began to be violent. This indicates a negative consequence of labelling. Tiffany's neighbor developed a negative attitude against Pat and was able to observe him via the window, putting on a disgusting facial expression whenever he saw Pat. By obtaining a restraining order against Pat, Nikki could keep him in line with social norms.
This restraining order prohibited Pat from visiting his wife or his home. The mental label was evident when Pat Sr. could associate Pat's actions with his inability to take prescribed drugs (Link, & Phelan, 2013). The action makes Pat feel she is not well, but he believes he can manage the symptoms without medication. Diagnostic label usage in psychiatry is not always understood and accepted by the general public, but it does contribute to mental health discrimination (Sims et al., 2021). Individuals with mental disorders reported experiencing increases and decreases in emotional support following diagnosis. Some individuals grew either publicly or covertly emotionally and physically detached due to increased stigmatization.
As a result of labeling and categorizing a mentally impaired patient, the labeling contributes to love relationships and marriage strain, contributing to divorces. Research indicates that categorization for mental illness did not change; rather, it increased family, friends, and community support, acceptance, tolerance, and better relationships (Sims et al., 2021). Pat experiences both an increase and a decrease in emotional support, with his friends and close relatives providing more emotional support and his ex-wife Nikki providing less or no emotional support. After Pat was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he became socially reclusive and was unwilling to share his diagnosis for fear of embarrassment, rejection, and loss of support (Lauber, 2008). Disclosure of the diagnostic diagnosis raised the likelihood of stigma.
The other negative element of diagnostics is that it places people into diagnostic categories and treats them as objects, ignoring the person or treating them as mere epiphenomena of the biological mechanisms behind their ideas, emotions, and actions (Link, & Phelan, 2013). Normally, individuals are assigned to diagnostic groups to demonstrate their unmet need for psychiatric services. Instead of indexes or scales, the severity of symptoms should be used to assess the types and severity of mental disorder problems (Lauber, 2008). There is no rationale for classifying individuals into specific diagnostic groups to determine which subpopulations suffer the most. For instance, Pat is classified as a bipolar patient, but this classification does not account for the intensity of his symptoms.
Moreover, there is no need to label people as depressed, bipolar, alcoholic, or sex addicts to identify that they feel awful or have disorganized and weird thoughts. However, it is necessary to examine the types and severity of human problems (Link, & Phelan, 2013). A person does not need to be diagnosed as a means of assistance because, according to the movie character, once a person is classified as bipolar, the remainder of their lives and psychological problems are ignored. For instance, once Pat was identified and classified as bipolar, his marital issues and status changes were overlooked. In addition, once a patient is classified under a particular diagnostic category, he or she is exposed to unneeded and excessive medication that fits that category, even if the patient demonstrates only symptoms (Mirowsky & Ross, 2002).
People with mental illness may be categorized and discriminated against as dangerous and incompetent due to their problems. As a result, they may develop the self-perception that they are dangerous, incompetent, and to blame for any problem. Due to shyness these people often do not seek medical help. Discrimination may result in an employer not hiring or firing a person with mental illness, and as a result, the individual loses self-esteem and self-efficacy (Mirowsky & Ross, 2002). The film does not sugarcoat the impact of mental illness on families but acknowledges the role of close relationships in treating mental illness. Even though Pat and Tiffany's love cannot cure bipolar disease, it makes it easier for each of them to handle their mental condition.
Conclusion
Silver living playbook presents mental illness affecting two main characters and how the illness did affect family and society attitudes and causes labeling hence affecting individual adherence to treatment and recovery. Pat Solitano was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had a history of violence after discovering his ex-wife Nikki's extramarital activities. Bipolar disorder causes fluctuations in mood, energy, activity, and attention or focus. Seeking help helped Pat to some extent but in the other side of reality there is existence of some people who use these kind of weakness of others as an advantage of their own gain through prescribing unnecessary mediation. Tiffany experienced depression and loneliness as a consequence of her husband's passing. Depression and feelings of isolation triggered Tiffany's sexual addiction, making it impossible to regulate her actions. The social bond theory posits that attachment, beliefs in social standards, and participation in conventional activities contribute to the standardization of social behavior. Pat and Tiffany's familial ties and belief in societal norms compelled them to comply with social conventions, which led Tiffany to abandon her sexual addiction. At the same time, Pat sought reconciliation with his ex-wife. However, As Tiffany and Pat attempt to conform to the social norms, society assumes that they present deviant, repressing behavior. As a result, Pat and Tiffany's mental situation faced sanism, psychiatric labeling, and discrimination through institutional laws and employment.
Mental illness does not necessarily yield to physical condition; a mental disorder patient can seem physically fine and fit. However, social labeling creates a barrier of isolation from mentally ill people that cause even more negative result. Mental illness approaches irreverently, but it brings unusual empathy
References
Grande, I., Berk, M., Birmaher, B., & Vieta, E. (2016). Bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 387(10027), 1561-1572.
Horwitz, A. V. (2011). Creating an age of depression: the social construction and consequences of the major depression diagnosis. Society and Mental Health, 1(1), 41-54.
Lauber, C. (2008). Stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness: a critical appraisal. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 17(1), 10–13.
Link, B. G., & Phelan, J. C. (2013). Labeling and stigma. In Handbook of the sociology of mental health (pp. 525–541). Springer, Dordrecht.
Mirowsky, J., & Ross, C. E. (2002). Measurement for human science. Journal of health and social behavior, 152-170.
Nijdam‐Jones, A., Livingston, J. D., Verdun‐Jones, S., & Brink, J. (2015). Using social bonding theory to examine ‘recovery in a forensic mental health hospital: A qualitative study. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 25(3), 157-168.
Paat, Y. F., & Markham, C. (2016). A Gendered Approach to Understanding the Roles of Social Bonding, Personal Control, and Strain on College Dating Violence in Emerging Adulthood. Journal of aggression, maltreatment & trauma, 25(8), 793–811. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2016.1194938
Sims, R., Michaleff, Z. A., Glasziou, P., & Thomas, R. (2021). Consequences of a Diagnostic Label: A Systematic Scoping Review and Thematic Framework. Frontiers in public health, 9, 725877. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.725877
Silver Linings Playbook, (2012). IMDb. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/?ref_=nv_sr_1
