Top 10 Most Accurate Depictions of Mental Illness in Movies and TV
Occasionally, we're offered a glimmer of hope for perceptions of mental health in the media! These are the Top 10 Most Accurate Depictions of Mental Illness in Movies and TV.
#10: Tony Stark
“Iron Man 3” (2013)
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You know what’s fantastic about Marvel? Their male characters aren’t deemed any less manly for having emotions. When Stark has a near-death experience at the end of “The Avengers”, it damages his psyche. Though the aliens are defeated, the battle in his mind is far from over. Whenever the wormhole is mentioned, his world seems to stop. He loses his breath and appears to dissociate. JARVIS officially identifies the debilitating episode as a panic attack. Having a character experience this in such a popular movie matters. It shows kids and adults alike that even superheroes are affected by trauma.
#9: Hannah Horvath
“Girls”(2012-17)
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While Lena Dunham has been the center of controversy, it’s worth noting her character on this list. Normally demonstrated as something mystified or a thing to be mocked, obsessive compulsive disorder has been vastly misrepresented. In this HBO drama, the writers decided to take a realistic approach to writing the disorder, showing its less ‘quirky’ side. Dunham knew just how to play it properly. After all, she has OCD herself. Despite the dissension over the show, it’s good to know that TV finally got this disorder right.
#8: Carrie Mathison
“Homeland” (2011-)
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This is a slightly controversial portrayal of bipolar disorder, but at least at times, it can be a very positive portrayal. Some episodes are more accurate than others, but overall it's a decent representation of an often ignored illness. It shows how mental illness affects you, from job security to everyday living. The use of medication is visible and shown as important. What’s interesting about the show is that Carrie’s disorder isn’t only in one story arc. Instead, it’s an element injected into the story, affecting the plot in various ways.
#7: Patrizio ‘Pat’ Solitano, Jr.
“Silver Linings Playbook”(2012)
Along with great acting and cinematography, this movie impressed with its realistic writing. In a world where a stay at a psychiatric hospital means stigma and alienation, “Silver Linings Playbook” brought a taboo topic to the forefront. With mental illness, there’s still love to be felt and relationships to be recovered and built. Throughout the film, Pat’s bipolar disorder is portrayed accurately from its milder symptoms to full-blown panic attacks. Similarly, love interest Tiffany suffers from depression and anxiety, exacerbated by the death of her husband. Together they create a love story unlike any that had been told before.
#6: Maria Bamford
“Lady Dynamite”(2016-17)
For every bit of comedy in this Netflix original, there’s a serious story being told. The whole premise lies around the main character’s bipolar disorder and suicide attempt, after all. Through the show’s two seasons, Maria grows to realize that she needs to put her mental health first. The nonlinear storytelling shows how bipolar disorder affects people throughout life and how the management of the disorder is indeed possible, despite how difficult it may be. The time jumps let you see how far the character has come throughout her life. This is a semi-autobiographical show, so it’s no wonder it seems to be so true to life.
#5: Edgar Quintero
“You're the Worst”(2014-)
For all the cynicism and comedy in this show you wouldn’t believe how genuinely they paint mental disorders in two of its characters: Edgar and Gretchen. The way they write PTSD is sensitive and poignant. Edgar is more than his diagnosis, something that a lot of people can tend to forget. The writers giving Edgar the diagnosis matters because Latino people are statistically far less likely to report mental health issues than Caucasian people. It's such a real look at the terror that comes with reliving the trauma, but lightened a bit by the love of his friends who try to help him however they can.
#4: Bojack Horseman
“Bojack Horseman”(2014-)
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We bet you’d never guess that a cartoon horse would make it on this list. However, any fan of this show knows exactly what we’re talking about. Bojack had existing mental health issues worsened by child abuse and neglect. There is even an episode about what goes on in his head daily. Similar intrusive thoughts of self-deprecation, unearned guilt, and deep dread plague many with depression and anxiety alike. And his illness is anything but romanticized. It’s ugly, it hurts, and some days there’s nothing he can do but go to bed and hope tomorrow will be better. We just hope he finds his “real, lasting happiness”, despite his insisting that he doesn’t deserve it.
#3: Jessica Jones
“Jessica Jones”(2015-)
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Shows like this are important because most people think PTSD is something that only affects war veterans. While veterans deserve respect and effective mental health treatment, the disorder can also stem from many other situations, such as the repeated abuse, rape, and brainwashing that Jessica Jones endured with Kilgrave. Even within the superhero narrative, this show accurately presents the effects of sexual abuse. While the writers don’t shy away from the horror of PTSD, they also show that a diagnosis isn’t the end of the story. The trauma drives her to become a fierce, independent hero. Instead of merely accepting her pain, she’s determined to do something about it.
#2: Randall Pearson
“This Is Us”(2016-)
This show is groundbreaking when it comes to humanizing anxiety and panic disorders. Not only is Randall able to efficiently parent with his disorder, but he also proves to be successful in many other ventures as well. We especially love the sweet bonding moments between Jack and Randall when the latter grows anxious. It shows parents that they can help their affected child by merely showing love and support as well as teaching coping techniques. In one episode, Randall has a panic attack, stemming from long brewing stress. The internet immediately flooded with posts about how tactfully this storyline was handled, and we have to agree.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Mickey Dobbs
“Love” (2016-18)
Lucy, Grace, Allison, Eddie & Maggie
“Call Me Crazy: A Five Film” (2013)
Elijah ‘Eli’ Goldsworthy
“Degrassi: The Next Generation” (2001-15)
#1: Rebecca Bunch
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”(2015-)
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Rebecca has Borderline Personality Disorder. It has some intense symptoms, making it hard sometimes for loved ones to understand. Maybe after watching this show however they can see where their loved ones with BPD are coming from. This series also talks about something that those with mental health issues can totally understand; just how good it feels to finally get a diagnosis. Many people don’t like labels, but putting a name to something can help you realize that you aren’t alone. This story arc is complete with song and dance. Would you expect anything less from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”?
