One Flew Over A Cuckoo's Nest: Movie Analysis

One Flew Over a Cuckoo’s Nest, a novel by Ken Kesey, written in 1962 and later adapted into an Academy Award winning film was the first look I had into the life, care and treatment of people with mental illness and mental health problems. Whether you saw the movie, stage adaptation, read the novel, or have never even heard of it, the title speaks for itself. “Cuckoo,” is filled with stigmatizing language in regards to people who are suffering from mental health issues. Movies, media and news tend to portray mental illness with a shade of “violent offenders,” or “crazy,” and although now, in the year 2016, people suffering from Mental Health Illnesses, are being treated far better than in the past; as a society we have room to grow. We have

David’s parents showed concerned and also self-doubt when speaking about his symptoms to Dr. Tobin, wondering what they could have done to prevent David’s mental illness. Myers & DeWall (p. 398) describe some of the causes of schizophrenia stating, “schizophrenia appears suddenly, seemingly as a reaction to stress,” also stating that for some ‘schizophrenia develops gradually, emerging from a long history of social inadequacy.” The causes of schizophrenia have been researched and researched, and is ever changing, some researcher believe that schizophrenia can be related to abnormal brain tissue. According to Myers & DeWall (p.398), “researchers examined schizophrenia patients’ brains after death. They found an excess number of dopamine receptors,” simply meaning that people with schizophrenia may have higher dopamine levels of dopamine the most people. Some scientist believe there may be a risk factor linked to genetics and the development of schizophrenia; Myers & DeWall state that, “for most people the odds of being diagnosed with schizophrenia are nearly 1 in 100. For those who have a parent or sibling the odds increase to 1 in 10. And if the affected sibling is an identical twin, the odds are close to 5 in 10” (Adapted from Gottesman,

I believe David would benefit from the newer medication, even with the risk of weight gain. Because of David’s’ young age, I believe the newer medications are most effective, and he will also be able to work with a nutritionist and doctor to maintain a healthy weigh through diet and exercise. Once David is on a steady regiment of medication, and is in the habit of taking medication daily, David should remain in a relatively structured day. Meaning, David should interact with others, keep his brain busy in the form of socializing, writing, coloring, eventually finding work once stable and in recovery for a period of time. Structure at times, prevents or limits stress, which can be a leading factor to a schizophrenic