Running With Scissors Psychology

Surviving a Toxic Childhood Many movies have portrayed psychological disorders or used them as frameworks for plots or themes. Running With Scissors does not lack mental health references. This movie review will provide a plot summary, identify developmental themes, describe developmental theories, discuss counseling interventions, and include a personal reflection of the movie.
Movie Overview Based on the personal memoirs of Augusten Burroughs, Running With Scissors, is an eye-opening movie about a boy who survives an unusual and chaotic childhood. The first several minutes of the film begin showing Augusten’s upbringing with his egocentric mother, Deirdre, and his alcoholic father, Norman. Deirdre and Norman have a highly conflictual relationship and fight in front of Augusten, often. Deirdre lets Augusten stay home from school most days, spending his time playing with his mothers’ hair, sewing, and listening to his mother read her powerful poems. When Augusten asks his father to play with him, he states that he cannot, while he pours himself another glass of alcohol. The stage for the rest of the movie is set by showing a glimpse of the boys’
Augusten’s sexual orientation is questioned during a few scenes when he first meets Natalie. Anytime Natalie makes any advancements or suggestions towards Augusten, he becomes shy and uncomfortable. In one scene, Natalie links arms with Augusten while they’re walking down the sidewalk. Augusten opens up and tells Natalie that he is gay. Natalie is not surprised and replies with an obvious, “I know”, while she smiles. In the same scene, Natalie says she wants to introduce Augusten to another gay male, named Neil. Neil is much older than Augusten, but he becomes infatuated with the boy. The two men become sexual and Neil starts to use Augusten for sex. Augusten, being young and naïve, is unsure about the age difference and starts to question the