Psychiatry in Films II:

The Good, the bad and the ugly

By: Yasir HameedST5 (Old Age/General Adult Psychiatry)

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Trust6 November 2014

Outline Films and their influence

UEA students feedback

Examples of films

Conclusion

Duration 45 minutes

Tribute to Robin Williams

The death of a star extinguishes a life, but the circumstances may illuminate the world. Let’s learn from this tragic story!

Films as powerful tools for teaching

Supported by research

Most studies showed positive effect

Many resources online

RCPsych endorsed (blog, CPD online)

Advantages Allows for a flexible style of learning.

It can be used as a springboard to promote meaningful discussion.

It is a more enjoyable medium for learning.

The experience provides a greater engagement of the senses.

Films vs direct-patient contact

Allowing for a safe examination of more risky mental states.

Offering a virtual experience when access to patients is limited.

Overcoming issues of confidentiality.

Overcoming issues of patient consent.

Cautions with films that

Stereotype people with mental illness (and their professionals)

Use mental illness to seek laughs.

UEA medical students 8 students from my PBL group (4th

year)

Encouraged to watch a film on each topic

Feedback collected at the end

Recommended films Psychosis: Beautiful Mind (2001)The Machinist (2004)

Anxiety, depression and risk assessments:

Aviator (2004) The hours (2002)

Old Age Psychiatry:Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch (2001)

Substance Misuse:Walk the Line (2005)

Personality disorders:Girl Interrupted (1999)

CAMHS (autism and eating disorder):Rain Man (1988)Black Swan (2010)

Feedback Do you have interest in films in general?Yes 7/8No 1/8

How often do you enjoy watching a film?Daily 0/8Weekly 4/8Fortnightly 2/8Monthly 2/8

7/8 thought the films were very relevant to the psychiatric topics

6/8 said they will recommend the films to family and friends

4/8 gave suggestions on other films

CommentsStudent 4: “watching the films makes it easier to picture the symptoms of these conditions”

Student 8: “Its been a great term for PBL, I think that engaging us in the films relevant to psychiatry is a fantastic idea!”

Student 2: “I'm still only half way through The Hours!!”

Now let’s see some clips!

Control (2007) True story of Ian Curtis, singer of the

English band (Joy Division)

Recommended article: Epilepsy and neuropsychiatric comorbidities.Agrawal N and Govender SAdvances in Psychiatric Treatment(2011)17: 44-53

The Messenger (2009) A returning soldier from Iraq is

assigned to work as a casualty notification officer with a strict captain.

Useful reading:What civilian psychiatrists should know about military psychiatryDeahl M & Siddiquee R.APT (2013) 19: 268-275

The Soloist (2009) Real life story of a friendship

between a journalist and a homeless musician with schizophrenia.

Useful reading:Health inequalities and mentalLife. Michael MarmotAPT (2012) 18: 320-322

Take Shelter (2011) A husband and father is trying hard to

protect his family from a coming storm or from himself.

Useful reading:Recent developments in themanagement of delusional disordersChristopher F. FearAPT (2013) 19: 212-220

The Impossible (2012) The story of a tourist family in Thailand

caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Recommend article: Early mental health intervention after disasters. David A. Alexander. APT (2005) 11: 12-18

Amour (2012) French drama about the life of an elderly

couple with the wife suffering from dementia.

Recommended reading:Vascular dementia: a pragmatic review. By: Hugh Series & Margaret Esiri. APT (2012) 18: 372-380

Silver Lining Playback (2012)

A man with bipolar disorder is trying to recover from his illness without medication and to rebuild his life.

Useful reading:The course of bipolar disorderSaunders K & Goodwin G.APT (2010) 16: 318-328

The Crash Reel (2013) Film and documentary about the

snowboarding athlete (Kevin Pearce) and his life with Traumatic Brain Injury

Recommended reading: NICE guidelines on management ofhead injury (CG176).

Headway website (https://www.headway.org.uk)

Don Jon (2013) The story of man who is dedicated to

his family, church and friends has secret addiction to pornography.

Useful reading:Internet sex addiction: a licence to lust?Dunn N at al. APT 2012, 18:270-277.

Labor Day (2013) Set up in 1987, a single mother and

her son are taken hostages by wounded, escaped prisoner.

Useful reading:Hostage-taking: motives, resolution, coping and effects.Alexander D & Klein S.APT (2010) 16: 176-183

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

The story of two teens, both with different cancer conditions, fall in love after meeting at a cancer support group.

Recommended article:Psychiatric liaison in palliative care.Simon Deinin.Psychiatric Treatment (2003)9: 241-248

Conclusion Use every opportunity to learn and teach

psychiatry, even when you watch your favourite films.

Psychiatry will never stop fascinating us.