The Perks Of Being A Wallflower Psychological Disorder

Brief Summary
This paper will aim to showcase the portrayal of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" directed by Stephen Chbosky. Although the assignment only calls for one disorder analysis, I decided to do both MDD and PTSD since they are so inextricably linked in Charlie’s case, and I cannot find myself writing about one while excluding the other.
"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is a powerful coming-of-age drama movie that follows the story of Charlie, a shy and introverted high-school freshman struggling to cope with the suicide of his best friend, as well as the untimely death of his aunt in a car accident. Charlie is brilliant and excels academically,

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to psychological distress (Craske, 2017). CBT is not explicitly showcased as a form of treatment, however, some of the principles of CBT can be observed in the way that Charlie's therapist Dr. Burton interacts with him. Dr. Burton encourages Charlie to talk about his feelings and offers him support and validation in an individualized, trauma-focused manner. She builds a relationship with Charlie and does not press him for questions when she sees that he is visibly shaken when reflecting on his aunt. This type of therapy aligns with some of the principles of CBT, such as focusing on thoughts and feelings and working towards specific goals. “Charlie, are you going to let me help you here?”, is a question that Dr. Burton poses to Charlie when he begins to close off from speaking about his aunt. It is also heavily indicated that he continues to meet with Dr. Burton after being released from the hospital, which highlights the importance of continuing therapy to prevent relapse and solidify progress. Moreover, the movie highlights the importance of the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and

I do recognize, however, that “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a work of fiction, and over a decade old, so I applaud it for being more accurate compared to much of the media released at the time. As mental health awareness continues to grow in our society, it is important that media portrayals of mental illness are accurate, respectful, and informative, and that they promote understanding and empathy towards those who are struggling with mental health issues. “We are infinite” is a quote by Charlie that encapsulates the main takeaway of the film. It represents the feeling of boundlessness and possibility that can come with being part of a close-knit group of friends like Patrick and Sam. A support system is crucial for those suffering from any psychological disorder, and Charlie, along with his friends, support this idea