- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
A unique exploration of how mental illness is portrayed in classic and contemporary films.
The study of classic and contemporary films can provide a powerful avenue to understand the experience of mental illness. In Madness at the Movies, James Charney, MD, a practicing psychiatrist and long-time cinephile, examines films that delve deeply into characters' inner worlds, and he analyzes moments that help define their particular mental illness.
Based on the highly popular course that Charney taught at Yale University and the American University of Rome, Madness at the Movies introduces readers to films that may be new to them and encourages them to view these films in an entirely new way. Through films such as Psycho, Taxi Driver, Through a Glass Darkly, Night of the Hunter, A Woman Under the Influence, Ordinary People, and As Good As It Gets, Charney covers an array of disorders, including psychosis, paranoia, psychopathy, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety. He examines how these films work to convey the essence of each illness. He also looks at how each film reflects the understanding of mental illness at the time it was released as well as the culture that shaped that understanding.
Charney explains how to observe the behaviors displayed by characters in the films, paying close attention to signs of mental illness. He demonstrates that learning to read a film can be as absorbing as watching one. By viewing these films through the lens of mental health, readers can hone their observational skills and learn to assess the accuracy of depictions of mental illness in popular media.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface: An Origin Story
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Hallucinations and Delusions: Schizophrenia
- 3. The Experience of Acute Psychosis: Schizophrenia
- 4. Paranoia and Delusion
- 5. Personality Disorders: The Psychopath
- 6. A Different Kind of Psychopath: Charming but Dangerous
- 7. Dissociative Identity Disorder: Who Are You Really?
- 8. Are We All Voyeurs? A Filmmaker’s Undoing
- 9. Mood Disorders and the Family
- 10. Grief and Depression
- 11. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Other Anxieties
- 12. Hollywood Healers: Psychotherapy Essentials
- Acknowledgments
- Photo Credits
- Index