Given the widespread influence of movies, it is important to be invested into how characters with psychological disorders are portrayed, whether it is accurate or misrepresented. Therefore, I will be engaging in a discussion about the accuracy and inaccuracy of how Bipolar I is portrayed in the film ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and the television show ‘90210’.
In the movie ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) has spent the last eight months in a mental institution for bipolar disorder, following a violent incident. After losing his job and his wife (who he wishes to reconcile with), he moves back in with his parents. In one scene Pat is frantically looking for his wedding video in the middle of the night. Through his overwhelming urgency to find the film, Pat has
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After visiting the high school where Nikki works, he shows that he doesn’t understand the restraining order against him.
The characters present mostly the same manic symptoms. A large difference is that in Silver Linings Playbook, the movie is dominated by Pat’s manic episodes, and there are almost no signs of depressive episodes. This differs from 90210 which clearly shows Silver’s manic and depressive states. Overall, I felt that both 90210 and Silver Linings Playbook presented an accurate and unexaggerated portrayal of symptoms associated with Bipolar I disorder.
Both characters receive similar and accurate treatments. Silver is prescribed pill medication as well as Pat, who only takes it after he thinks it will help him win Nikki back. Both are seeing a therapist and are receiving social support from friends and family. In 90210, Silver’s sister reinforces a regular schedule for meals and sleep as well as a strict treatment regimen. Silver also does journaling as a coping strategy and is told to avoid stimulation. This is different from Pat whose therapist purposefully puts on a song to see if it triggers him, which causes a violent