Stereotypes About Schizophrenia In The Film A Beautiful Mind

For psychiatric educators interested in using film to teach professional and lay audiences about schizophrenia, the 2001 release of A Beautiful Mind has made the process much easier. The movie shows a range of symptoms and complications, and it gives viewers—especially patients and families—hope for recovery. However, many other commercial films depict various aspects of the illness, and the choice of which one to use is determined by the audience, the pedagogical focus, and the time available. Clean, Shaven (1995), for instance, may be more challenging for professional audiences. Psychiatric educators should familiarize themselves with the variety of film options when teaching about schizophrenia.
"I need to believe that something extraordinary is possible," Alicia Nash declares to her
Many patients who have watched the movie have derisively commented that much of the story seems unrealistic, especially the high achievement despite illness, the unwavering family support, and the degree of community reintegration. Clinicians and trainees have wondered about the nature of some of John Nash's symptoms, since having fully formed, interactive, and associated visual and auditory hallucinations is relatively uncommon (10). Although the movie is based on a true story, the director has admitted taking liberties for dramatic effect, raising doubt as to how much should be believed. For example, historical inaccuracies plague the depiction of insulin coma therapy, and Nash's wife actually divorced him (11). Although the film seeks to inspire hope and reduce stigma, some people, especially patients, have worried that A Beautiful Mind may swing the pendulum too far in the other direction, yielding a "Christopher Reeve effect," whereby family members expect their disabled loved ones to go out and win Nobel