Portrayal of Schizophrenia in Clean, Shaven

Portrayal of Schizophrenia in Clean, shavenElizabeth DavisAbstractMedia portrayals of kind disorders often provide the only contact one may have on the topic.Because of this, filmmakers have a duty to accurately portray the disorders. Clean, Shaven provides first-hand liveliness into the frightening symptoms of schizophrenic psychosis in an attempt to humanize the disorder and admonishes society for false presuppositions based upon those suffering from amiable disorders (Lim, 2006 Owen, 2012).Portrayal of Schizophrenia in Clean, ShavenIn Clean, Shaven, Lodge Kerrigan attempts to place the dish in the mind of Peter Winter, a schizophrenic recently released from a moral institution, by means of the use of hostile camera angles and a bizarre, glaring soundtrack (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). The film seeks to humanize the day-to-day struggles of life dealing with the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as auditory and visual hallucinations. One of Winters auditory hallucinations fits esp ecially well with this theme For you its paranoia. For me its a reality (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). In addition, the film comments on societys discrimination against mental illness by allowing the viewer to falsely assume Winter murders a young girl (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993).Symptoms and DiagnosisAccording to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, one moldiness attest at least two of the five active symptoms delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms (Oltmanns Emery, 2015). Additionally, at least one of the symptoms must be one of the first three (delusions, hallucinations, and/or disorganized speech) and must slip by for at least one month (Oltmanns Emery, 2015). Clean, Shaven only provides a brief glimpse into Peter Winters life, however during this time, he does exhibit twain delusions and hallucinations, as well as catatonic behavior and improper affect (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). Winter suffers from delusions that during his commitment to a mental institution he underwent a surgery to implant a radio transmitter in his feel and a receiver in his head (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). In two separate scenes, Winter attempts to remove both the transmitter and the receiver, speaking to the persistence of the delusions (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). Additionally, Winter suffers from both visual and auditory hallucinations, the latter of which he believes originate from the transmitter in his finger (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). According to Oltmanns and Emery (2015), catatonic behavior may be expressed through excited and over-activity, such as pacing or repetitious movements. Repetitious movements appear at several time through bug out the film, especially in times Winter is exceptionally stressed, such as in a scene in which he repeatedly bangs a card catalogue in a library (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). Winter also exhibits inappropriate affect. Upon reuniting with his daughter who was placed for adop tion when Winter was committed, Winter expresses increasing agitation instead of happiness (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993).The DSM-5 enumerates additional criteria for diagnosis. The B-level mensuration addresses the level of dysfunction in major areas of life, such as self-care, work, and interpersonal relationships (Oltmanns Emery, 2015). Because Winter has spent an unknown quantity of time in a mental institution and is just being released in the beginning of the film, his job per underframeance cannot be analyzed, however, the viewer will note a steady decline in personal grooming throughout the film (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). In the beginning, Winter exhibits fastidious grooming habits, keeping his clothes meticulous and his hair neatly trimmed (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). During a shower scene, Winter is seen scrubbing down with steel wool, suggesting a compulsive aspect to his hygiene habits (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). Towards the end of the film, Winter becomes markedly disheveled (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). An interaction with his puzzle reveals strained interpersonal relations (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). The remaining diagnostic criteria were not addressed in the film due to the limited dialogue and the time constraints of the film. However, judging by the age of Winters daughter and comments on the bombardment of the symptoms made by his mother, it can be inferred that his symptoms have persisted for a time period portentous the necessary six months. The quality and duration of symptoms along with the level of dysfunction confirm the diagnosis claim of schizophrenia.Causes of SchizophreniaAccording to Oltmanns and Emery (2015), the interaction of both biological and environmental factors combine to cause schizophrenia. A wealth of data supports a physiological and genetic component to schizophrenia, based upon brain scans showing structural abnormalities and march of neurotransmitter dysfunction (Oltmanns Emery, 2015). However, this evidence only supports a predisp osition to the disorder that may remain dormant until an environmental factor triggers the expression (Oltmanns Emery, 2015). Oltmanns and Emery (2015) state environmental triggers imply complications during pregnancy or birth, maternal malnutrition, certain viral infections.A correlation between schizophrenia and various social factors has also been found. For example, the highest concentration of schizophrenia occurs amongst those with the utmost socioeconomic statuses (Oltmanns Emery, 2015). According to Oltmanns and Emery (2015), two theories exist to explain this phenomenon social causation, in which the status causes the disorder, and social selection, in which the disorder forces the status. Additionally, higher rates of schizophrenia occur in those who immigrate from another country, perhaps causing social adversity that triggers the disorder (Oltmanns Emery, 2015).It is unclear what combination of factors caused Peter Winters disorder. His mother mentions that as a chi ld he had a strong attachment to a neighbors get over and became despondent and uninterested in enjoyable activities when the dog passed away (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). Additionally, she mentions that he dropped out of college after only a few months, lost 20 pounds, and cut contact with the family, which is within the typical age of onset (15-35 years of age) for schizophrenia (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993). Judging from setting elements in the film, such as the fishing industry and farm houses, Winter lived in a predominantly working(a) class town, which supports the social causation hypothesis (Byrne Kerrigan, 1993).Media Messages on Schizophrenia and Mental HealthFilmmakers, when representing a mental disorder, have a moral obligation to accurately portray that mental disorder. According to Owen (2012), many cinematic depictions are based upon misinformation. In her analysis of 42 film characters, Owen (2012) found all depictions of schizophrenics carried well-nigh form of incorrect information. For example, 79 percent of these characters were male, a oftentimes higher rate than in actual occurrence (Owen, 2012). Additionally, 95 percent were Caucasian, whereas schizophrenia occurs at a much higher rate with African-Americans (Owen, 2012). Byrne and Kerrigan (1993) are guilty of dissemination both of those inaccurate depictions in Clean, Shaven. Owen (2012) found that while Clean, Shaven did rely on some inaccuracies, they were inconsequential and did not detract from an overall accurate and compelling portrayal of schizophrenia and praised the film for providing a realistic and sympathetic representation of the day-to-day struggles to parcel out with symptoms.Of additional note, Kerrigan allows the audience to formulate presuppositions about Peter Winters guilt. In the opening scene, Winter sits in his car as a girl bounces a soccer ball against the windshield. Startled by the sound and frightened by the glare she gives him, Peter steps out of the car and wa lks off out of camera range. Next the viewer hears loud bangs and a girl screaming, then Winter gets back in the car with a large item disguised in orange plastic bags. In a later scene, Detective Jack McNally is called on a case of the murder of a girl who looks similar to the girl with the soccer ball. Throughout the movie, McNally, and the audience as well, believes Winter murdered the girl, however he is unable to find any conclusive evidence. In a final scene, McNally rips open the orange plastic to find nothing but newspapers. This interplay comments on societys false notions that the mentally ill are much more likely to commit violent acts (Oltmanns Emery, 2015 Owen, 2012). The viewer is left questioning whether the sounds of violence from the beginning were just another of Winters auditory hallucinations.In conclusion, Clean, Shaven provides a unique, sympathetic view into the life of someone suffering with schizophrenia. Byrne and Kerrigan (1993) portray auditory and vis ual hallucinations realistically and in a way that the viewer experiences them as if his own, providing more understanding for the development of the delusions.ReferencesByrne, J. D. (Producer), Kerrigan, L. (Director). (1993).Clean, ShavenMotion picture.United States of America DSM III Films.Lim, D. (2006). Clean, Shaven Inside man. The Criterion Collection. Retrieved fromhttp//www.criterion.com/current/posts/453-clean-shaven-inside-manOltmanns, T. F. Emery, R. E. (2015). Abnormal psychology (8th Ed.). Boston Pearson.Owen, P. R. (2012). Portrayals of schizophrenia by entertainment media A content analysis ofcontemporary movies. Psychiatric Services, 63(7), 655-659.doi 10.1176/appi.ps.201100371