2. Treatment Modalities in Media
Methods of treatment, as portrayed
by the media, have proven to either
negate or validate certain
stereotypes, stigmas, and fears
associated with mental health and
psychiatric disorders.
Unfortunately, the erroneous depiction
of mental health disorders in the
media often leads to inaccurate
perceptions of the mental illness itself.
This presentation will discuss portrayals
of insulin shock therapy,
medication/drugs, and
electroconvulsive therapy.
Retrieved from http://www.psychiatricservices.com
3. Insulin Shock Therapy
Insulin shock therapy was a popular treatment
modality through the 1940's-1960's. High levels of
insulin were given to schizophrenic patients to
induce a hypoglycemic coma. This made the
body go into shock, resulting in convulsions. This
method was supposed to suppress brain activity
and therefore reduce combative or psychotic
states. However, due to the long term effects of
the treatment, it was eventually eradicated in
US psychiatric facilities.
5. Overt and Covert Messages
Overt
The doctor talking about the struggles associated with
schizophrenia
The nurse stating the insulin is being administered
The patient's wife asking how often he needs the
treatment/doctor answering
Covert
Dramatic, melancholy music
The patient's facial expression
The psych techs strapping the patient's legs and arms down
before treatment
The nurse checking his pupils for dilation
The nurse placing tongue blades in the patients mouth
His wife turning away and putting her hand on her hand on
the glass/on her face
6. Insulin Shock Therapy
This clip furthers negative stigma and
stereotypes toward mental illness. This movie
takes place in the 1960's, which was a time in
psychiatric health where mental illness was not
quite understood. This specific treatment
modality is considered obsolete and highly
dangerous in today's society. When watching
this clip, people would probably think this
treatment is scary and painful. Also, they might
question how something that looks so terrible be
helpful to a mentally ill person.
7. Drugs and Medications
Treatment of mental illnesses by use of
medication is the most commonly
advertised treatment. Many medications
are shown to the public through drug
commercials. They are often depicted by
“normal looking” individuals and sold off of
the premise that the drug has helped
numerous individuals. Rarely do they
indicate any unsuccessful encounters with
the drug they are advertising.
9. Overt and Covert Messages
Overt
Description of problems the bipolar individual suffered with
Statement of doctor prescribing Abilify after discussing patient
options
Person stating that Abilify helps control symptoms of bipolar
mania
“Hundreds of thousands of patients have been prescribed
Abilify”
Covert
Melancholy music
Soft narrative voice
Woman walking on a beach by herself with solemn, depressed
look
Woman appearing happier and with another person after
stating she was prescribed Abilify
11. Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a
procedure in which electric
currents are intentionally delivered
to the brain to induce a
generalized seizure. In the 1940s
and 1950s, this treatment was used
primarily in patients with severe
mental illnesses.
According to the National Mental
Health Association (2013), ECT is
administered to an estimated
100,000 people a year, generally in
treating patients with severe
Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk
depression, acute mania, certain
schizophrenic syndromes, and in
some cases of suicidal patients.
13. Overt and Covert Messages
Overt
Being held down by six men
Gauze is shoved into his mouth
Struggling against his will
Covert
Aggressive music
14. Electroconvulsive Therapy
This movie, as well as other movies discussed,
promotes negative stigma associated with
ECT. They promote inaccurate community
knowledge and negative attitudes towards
people with mental illness, display inaccurate
information such as the function and
procedure, and falsify reasons for use of
treatment.
15. References
National Mental Health Association (2013). Electroconvulsive
Therapy (ECT). Retrieved from http://www.nmha.org/
go/information/get-info/treatment/electroconvulsive-
therapy-ect
Andrade, C., Shah, N., & Venkatesh, B.K. (2010). The Depiction
of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Hindi Cinema. Journal of
ECT, 26(1), 16-22.
Editor's Notes
The comments are in response to the video show medication promotes negative stereotypes and stigma towards illnesses. The first comment implies that people can “cure” themselves if they just changed their diet. The second portrays the belief that the psychiatric field has ill intentions and is only offering drugs for treatment to profit and eliminate the mentally ill. The last comment implies that the illness itself would not be treatable with drugs because drugs were initially the problem. Most people appear to respond negatively towards the use of drug treatment, arguing that it is mostly for the benefit of the pharmaceutical company and not the individual.
