Book Review
General Psychiatry 
Reel Psychiatry: Movie Portrayals of Psychiatric Conditions David J
Robinson. London (ON): Rapid Psychler Press; 2003. 340 p. CAN$21.95.
Reviewer
rating*: Excellent
Review by: Edward Kingstone MD, DPsy, FRCPC
Toronto, Ontario
With the word “reel,” this book’s title indicates its relation to movies. The use of this appropriate pun also indicates the skill and effectiveness with which this book is put together. The subtitle indicates that it deals with psychiatric conditions as portrayed in movies. In the past, films were made specially: actual or simulated patients were often interviewed to teach students about psychiatric conditions. Such films were never very effective: they seemed contrived, and they were not durable because changes in clothing style and knowledge dated them.
Recent years have seen a spate of movies wherein some of the protagonists have psychiatric conditions, often labelled as such, for which they may be receiving treatment. This reflects the increasingly general acceptability of and knowledge about psychiatric conditions and also, perhaps, the increased incidence of individuals who have experienced a mental health problem and psychiatric treatment. Obviously, some of these people are creative and incorporate their experience into the movies they make.
Other books have been written on the subject of psychiatry and the movies; however, this book has a particularly interesting and useful aspect because it was designed to help teachers and students look at and learn about specific conditions. It is structured according to the DSM-IV-TR (1). Various conditions are described, the criteria for diagnosis are set out, and an appropriate movie or movies that describe the condition are suggested.
The level of discussion is adequate for most purposes. After discussing making the diagnosis according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria, the book suggests movies. Most conditions have several movies associated with them, so the condition can be discussed and understood in terms of various presentations.
Generalized anxiety disorder is one example, for which there is a useful discussion under the heading “Understanding the Condition.” In the case of anxiety disorder, the author selects the films Analyze This, Annie Hall, and Manhattan. Each film is briefly summarized, and its relation to the disorder is described.
While the author attempts to be comprehensive, he indicates that he has not been able to find a suitable movie for several conditions or that the subject matter does not lend itself to portrayal in a movie.
The book is nonetheless quite comprehensive, and the chosen movies are appropriate and popular. As a result, individuals interested in a particular movie can easily obtain it.
The author clearly has a good sense and a good feel, not only for psychiatry but also for the cinema. Psychiatry does not have tests for, or specific illustrations of, conditions, so we are forced to rely on elaborate descriptions and lists of behaviours and symptoms. Movies can help us to understand and also, most importantly, can provide a context for the manifestation of a condition. The importance of collateral information and the effect of a psychiatric condition on those interacting with individuals with such a condition—be they friends, colleagues, or family—are well illustrated. All in all, this book is well produced and well priced. It offers in addition a reasonable review and guide to the DSM IV-TR. A well-done effort.
Reference
1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. Text revision. Washington (DC): American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
*Reviewer
Rating Scale/ Échelle d’évaluation du réviseur
Excellent / Excellent
Very Good / Très bon
Good / Bon
Fair / Passable
Not recommended / Pas recommandé
|
