Silver Linings Playbook Analysis

Film portrayals of the mentally ill, have contributed to the stigma faced by people with these conditions. Films tend to create and reinforce the same certain stereotypes of the mentally ill. The film Silver Linings Playbook, is a refreshing departure from from this pattern. Exaggerated cinematic portrayals have largely bypassed mental illnesses , such as; Bipolar disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, etc. This film Silver LInings PLaybook, accurately depicts these common disorders among several characters in this film. The three main characters that blatantly show this depiction, are; Pat, Tiffany, and Pat’s best friend Danny Mcdaniels.

Patrick Solitano Jr., better known as Pat, is a white male of about 35 years of age who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is undergoing treatment. He was released from a mandatory hospitalization in a detention facility after eight months on the premise that he would continue taking medication, attend therapy, and comply with his restraining orders. He was also assigned a parole officer.

People with mental health issues have been viewed and treated in a variety of ways within western society throughout time. Historically if an individual displayed behaviours which disrupted their function in society and defied social norms they were viewed as lunatics, insane or even cursed (Cowan, 2008; Elder & Evans & Nizette, 2009). It is from these past issues that many people still have unreasonable thoughts about mental illness; their misconceptions have created unreasonable fears and negative attitudes toward those who experience it. This negativity brings for many the barriers of not only

In the movie, ‘Silver linings Playbook’ Pat Solitano is diagnosed with clinical bipolar disorder 1 and struggles with stress-induced manic outbursts. This is revealed by a manic episode where Solitano is seen to almost beat to death a co-worker, who he caught cheating on with is wife. The repercussion of Solitano’s actions results in termination of his job, estrangement from his wife who takes out a restraining order and sees Solitano institutionalized for eight months in a psychiatric hospital.

This is a common occurrence for people with mental illness. People with a mental disorder are often ostracized from society and viewed as “crazy” or “psycho”. This is another example of the stigma of mental illness.

While stigma may not necessarily be a cause of a person’s mental disorder, it can certainly contribute to the complication and perpetuation of their illness. The effect of stigma goes well beyond just the patient and provides a commentary on society’s overall level of intolerance of those who are considered different from the majority. By recognizing the level of stigma that exists, perhaps we can alter that behavior and gravitate towards a more productive attitude towards mental illness.

Within the past two decades there’s been a revival in efforts to reduce stigmatization attached to mental illnesses. It was concluded that if mental illnesses were perceived better as ‘real’ diseases by the public that stigma would go down greatly. Reports proposed the idea that better scientific understanding of mental illnesses by the general public could greatly reduce stigma. Stigma is intensely rooted in social and cultural norms it’s patterns devalue and dehumanize groups of individuals within society (in this case mentally ill people). Stigma constructs barriers for individuals, barriers that limit a person’s abilities to have equal opportunities for employment, safe housing, health care and social relationships.Efforts to reduce stigma in recent years have

In the movie, Silver Linings Playbook, Pat Solitano Jr. is emotionally unstable and exhibits many of the signs and symptoms of an individual who has borderline personality disorder(BPD). For a brief overview, his marriage ends in shambles and throughout the movie, he tries his best to control his issues to win back his ex-wife, but on multiple occasions, he fails to keep himself intact.

Entering the taboo world of mental illness, stigmatized as the crazy and psychotic by decades of

Pat, the main character in Silver Linings Playbook, is depicted as an individual that has bipolar disorder. The movie shows how he deals with life after leaving a hospital where he received care for his disorder. Upon leaving the hospital, Pat is reluctant to take the medication prescribed to him for his disorder and displays several symptoms that are consistent with a person having bipolar disorder. Although he is reluctant in the beginning, with the support of his friends and family Pat begins to take his medication and is able to live a decent life with this disorder.

Stigma has been said to be “a feeling of being negatively differentiated owing to a particular condition, group membership or state in life”(Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012, p. 458). There are typically two types of mental illness stigma that are discussed. Public stigma, also known as societal stigma, is the stigma associated with the prejudicial attitudes the public holds towards those people who suffer from mental illness (Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012; Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan & Kubiak, 2003). Self-stigma, also known as internalized stigma, is the loss of self-esteem, withdrawal, and personal shame that some with mental illness will experience. Self-stigma is usually developed when those who suffer from mental illness associate the negative stereotypes the public holds with themselves (Chronister, Chou, & Lieo, 2013; Corrigan et al., 2003).

Silver Linings Playbook is about, Pat, who was released from a mental facility. He suffers from bipolar disorder after finding out about his wife was having an affair with a teacher, whom he later almost beat to death. Pat moved in with his parents and then learned his wife moved away from where she lived when they were a couple. While out one night, he meets Tiffany, who is a widow and is suffering her own mental problems. Both have personal loss issues. They make a deal that if Pat joins a dance competition with her, then she will send a note to Nikki, Pat’s wife. When Pat gets into a fight at an Eagle's game that his father bet his money on, and the football team loses, his father gets furious. He skipped dance practice with Tiffany to attend that game. A second bet is made between Pat’s father and his gambling friend, that if the Eagles win against Dallas and Pat and Tiffany score at least a 5 on their dance, Pat Sr. will earn double the money he lost off the first football game. A letter Pat recently got from Nikki ended up being forged by Tiffany because she was scared Pat would try and get back with Nikki instead of her. On the night of the football game and dance performance, Tiffany saw Nikki in the audience and runs to a bar for drinks. Pat goes to look for her and manages to get her to dance. The football team wins and they score a 5. Pat goes to talk to Nikki, Tiffany gets mad and leaves. Pat chases Tiffany and tells her he knows about the forged letter and that

For this last learning lab of the semester, I viewed a film titled Silver Linings Playbook directed by David O. Russell. The film centers around a man named Patrick “Pat” Solatano who gets released from a mental institution and moves back in with his parents. Upon returning to society, Pat meets Tiffany Maxwell, a woman struggling with her own problems, while trying to reunite with his ex wife who has a restraining order against him. Originally released in 2012, this was my second time viewing the film. This time around, I feel as if I was able to be a spectator that closely observed each character with a greater grasp of awareness for mental illness.

Life is hard and a struggle, but even tougher for someone who struggles with a psychological disorder. Bipolar disorder is a well-known psychological disorder and has effective treatment methods. Although, ultimately it is up to the patient with the disorder. The reason I chose the film Silver Linings Playbook is because not only did I enjoy the film, but I can relate to it. For I know someone who suffers from bipolar disorder, and even though they encounter many obstacles, they have learned to overcome those obstacles. I have to say that I really enjoyed watching this film and seeing how the main character, Patrick Solitano Jr. overcame his struggles and made some positive changes in his life.

It would seem that Pat, unaware of his bi-polar status, has spent most of his life “white knuckling” himself into “normalcy.” His irritability, mood swings, manic episodes, wild thinking, grandiosity, distractibility, and sleep disturbances have been prevalent for years, but he has not known why and has always just forced himself to deal with things. This sense of personal agency is commendable, but futile in the face of a chemical imbalance. That said, this desire for control/personal agency is still prevalent after Pat is released from the hospital. He does not like taking his meds and initially chooses not to take them, feeling that somehow he can control his own behavior without the help of medication. He does not like the side effects of the medication (citing that they make him feel groggy and bloated) and he feels as though his mantra