Psychopathology Analysis

Analysis of Psychopathology in Popular Films

Jessica C. Cruz

Florida International University

Abstract

This paper explores on a popular film about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) that a young woman suffered. This disorder was experienced in the popular film Girl, Interrupted, in which the director uses a more effective technique to have the viewers even more involved. It also examines the relationship of the girl’s age and the role that BPD plays in her life. Borderline Personality Disorder is distinguished be an impulsive behavior that is repeated often, the instability in interpersonal relationships, her self-image as well as her moods, which are constantly changing. Most people with BPD have high rates of repeated symptoms such as

Self-mutilation and suicide attempt are common. People that suffer this disorder may have transient episode of psychotic like symptoms or have overlap symptoms for mood disorder (Comer, 2010). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders fourth edition, to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a person must show an enduring pattern of behavior that includes several different symptoms, such as, impulsive or dangerous behaviors, recurring suicidal behaviors, distorted or unstable self-image, plus many more (NIMH) (DSM-IV-TR). Susanna, from Girl, Interrupted, was extremely impulsive. She acted out in many ways, for example, getting into bed with her mother’s friends husband, to stealing her medical record to escape the hospital and drugging up a nurse. In order for the films to produce this emotional response from the

Psychopathology is the diagnosis of mental and social illnesses. When we hear of people having mental illness, it is automatically associated with a negative conflict that the person may have suffered; an unusual stressor that is some form of psychopathology. People diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder show a pattern of behavior characterized by impulsivity and instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and moods (Butcher, J., 16 ed., p. 341). In addition, people with BPD have a highly unstable self-image or sense of self, which is sometimes described as “impoverished and/or fragmented” (Livesley, 2008, p. 44). The study of this mental disorder includes trying to understand the biological, genetic, psychological and environmental causes. DSM-5 Criteria for BPD has a persuasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning early in adulthood and present in a variety of contexts (Butcher, J., 16 ed., p. 342). Given the many and the various symptoms that Borderline Personality Disorder holds, not surprisingly, this disorder produces significant impairment in social, occupational, emotional, and academic functioning (Bagge et al., 2004; Grant et al.,