The document discusses the portrayal of bipolar disorder in films. It analyzes characters with bipolar disorder in 7 films from 1994-2015, coding their depictions of anger, agitation, self-medicating behaviors, delusions, paranoia, depression, and illusions of grandeur. The document hypothesizes that films do not accurately portray individuals with bipolar disorder based on outdated and stigmatizing portrayals in past media. It seeks to determine if more recent films provide realistic depictions through a content analysis of characters in the selected films.

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Running head: PORTRAYAL OF PERSON’S WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER
Measuring Films Depictions of Person’s With Bipolar Disorder
Anne Weltner
University of San Francisco
Measuring Films Depiction of Person’s With Bipolar Disorder

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Abstract
Key Words: portrayal, perception, bipolar disorder, mental illness, paranoia, anger, depression,
agitation, illusions of grandeur, self-medicating, delusional
Measuring Film’s Depiction of Person’s With Bipolar Disorder

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Often times person’s with mental illness are viewed as victims or perpetrator’s of crime,
touched with a sense of evil, violent, dangerous, socially awkward, and frequently in need of
assistance (Doherty & MacGeorge, 2014; Fruth, Padderud, 1985; Huffier & Cohen). According
to Newsweek (2014), there are 42.5 million adult Americans who suffer from mental illness
every year. These conditions include depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
Although some progress has been made regarding perceptions of such person’s deemed
mentally ill, people’s misconception of those who are mentally ill are far from where acceptance
needs to be. Unfortunately for some, they lack social support and understanding from the
portrayal of mental illness, whether on television, movies or magazines. These misconceptions
can become a barrier from seeking help, whether from professionals or peer support.
There has been considerable research concerning the portrayal of person’s with mental
illness, stigma and social support (Doherty & MacGeorge, 2014; Fruth, Padderud, 1985; Huffier
& Cohen, 2015; McKeever, 2014; Rasmussen, Ewoldsen, 2013; Segrin, 2006; Vayreda, Antaki,
2009). Although mental illness is more readily understood, there is still a lot of stigma directed
toward those who are afflicted (Doherty & MacGeorge, 2014; Hoffner & Cohen, 2015).
We all may know someone who is mentally ill and have conceptions and misconceptions
regarding their illness. Media can have a strong influence on person’s with mental illness,
whether through the form of television shows, self- help books and/ or magazines. Fruth and
Padderud (1985) suggest attitudes toward those who are mentally ill reveals the fear, dislike and
unpredictable behavior that may arise. However, after viewer see person’s with mental illness on
television shows, they tend to sympathize with them, which encourages them to reach out and
give their support (Fruth, Padderud, 1985; Huffier & Cohen, 2015; McKeever, 2015; Rasmussen,

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Ewoldsen, 2013). In McKeever’s (2015) article, he uses empathy as a key determinant in shaping
people’s perception of mental illness.
Where do people who are mentally ill get represented? Shows like Dr. Phil are viewed by
some as “infotainment,” marketed as “providing the most comprehensive forum of mental illness
in the history of television” (Rasmussen & Ewoldsen, 2013, p. 612). Rasmussen and Ewoldsen
(2013) studied not only self- help shows like Dr. Phil, but also Psychology Today or other “self-
help” books. Accordingly, they predicted that these weren’t the most realistic or idealized
versions of person’s with mental illness and can be detrimental in their progress. As with most
things in life, one size doesn’t fit all. It is most important to seek professional help than browse
Barnes and Noble’s to cope with your bouts of depression or a manic relative.
The lack of social support and understanding for one who is mentally ill can have
detrimental effects when mental illness is portrayed in the media (Doherty & MacGeorge, 2014;
Fruth, Padderud, 1985; Hoffner & Cohen, 2015; Rasmussen, Ewoldsen, 2013). Such effects may
hinder one from seeking help, or cause others to believe they have the affliction when in fact
they don’t. Aside from poor representation in media, mentally ill individuals don’t want to
categorize themselves as helpless or a burden upon loved ones (Doherty & MacGeorge, 2014).
Additionally, Doherty & MacGeorge (2014) state that comforting, “giving information or advice
and conveying different forms of help is an ongoing process” (p. 114).
Therefore, being portrayed as weak, interdependent, sick, violent or otherwise reckless
may hinder mentally ill individuals from seeking the proper care they need. In examining the
effects of mental illness in daytime television serials, all of the individuals who were portrayed to
be mentally ill were women, while men were three times less likely to be mentally ill. However,
the men who were mentally ill were seen as more dangerous than their female counterparts

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(Fruth, Padderud, 1985). Although this study was conducted thirty years ago, it appears as if
gender still plays a huge role in who is portrayed as mentally ill in the media (McKeever, 2015).
The ability to empathize with a character who is mentally all also shapes the portrayal of
mental illness in the media (Hoffner & Cohen, 2015; McKeever, 2015). One is more readily
accepting of someone when they find common traits or similarities, such as gender or geographic
similarities than one who feels detached (McKeever, 2015). Although people may vicariously
experience mental illness by the depiction of individuals who are sick in the media, the reality of
an individual who is mentally ill is vastly different. When participants viewed the television
program Monk, they seemed to find a parasocial bond with the character (Hoffner & Cohen,
2015).
According to Hoffner and Cohen (2015) a parasocial bond is the attachment one feels that
is deeply felt when one watched someone on television that can manifest itself into the
characteristics of a “real” relationship. Although Hoffner and Cohen’s (2015) focus is on OCD
depicted in the show Monk, the portrayal of such anxiety disorders as seen as “socially awkward
and in frequent need and assistance” (p. 1046). In developing empathy, or a parasocial bond with
a character who is portrayed as mentally ill, participants left feeling informed and motivated to
support their loved one who is unstable (Hoffner & Cohen, 2015; McKeever, 2015; Vayreda,
Antaki, 2009).
Aside from television programs, self-help books and movies, online forums are another
way in which support from others can impact individuals who are mentally ill (Vayreda, Antaki,
2009).
Although the past literature on the portrayal of mental illness either though media
perception or young adults, there were several limitations. All of the articles depicting media

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characters that were mentally ill represented an outdated outlook on mental illness. The
television show Monk was cancelled in 2004 and the serial daytime television study was
conducted thirty years ago. However, there were no films depicting bipolar disorder. Therefore, I
would like to pose the following, “Do films accurately portray person’s with bipolar disorder?” I
predict that films do not accurately portray individuals with bipolar disorder. In the following
study, I will review films specifically depicting bipolar disorder.
H1: Films do not accurately portray person’s with bipolar disorder.
RQ: Do films accurately portray person’s with bipolar disorder?
For the purpose of this study, I analyzed the following films: Infinite Polar Bear (2015),
Mr. Jones (1993), The Hours (2002), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), Running With Scissors
(2006), Blue Sky (1994) and Mad Love (1995). Although these films are spread out over the last
twenty years, the themes all remain the same. Here are some of the descriptions of the portrayal
of mental illness in the following films.
Method
Participants
As this was a video analysis and used nominal data, the characters in the films who had
bipolar disorder were analyzed according to the characteristics observed in the films. Three
characters were male; while four characters were female. The films ranged from years 1994-
2015. The characteristics were filtered by manic portrayals to severe depression.

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Materials and Procedures
This video analysis included a Netflix subscription, which was viewed on television
along with online streaming on a laptop. The depictions from all seven actors were coded for
accuracy and put into seven categories: (1) anger; (2) agitation; (3) self-medicating behaviors;
(4) delusions; (5) paranoia; (6) depression; and (7) illusions of grandeur. Notes were taken
throughout the viewings whenever there was mention of the character’s condition.
Results
Discussion
References
Doherty, E., & MacGeorge, E. (2014). Barriers impeding social support: The experiences of
young adults with bipolar disorder. Iowa Journal of Communication, 46(1), 114-137.
Fruth, L., & Padderud, A. (1985). Portrayals of mental illness in daytime serials. Journalism
Quarterly, 62(2), 384-387.

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Hoffner, C., & Cohen, E. (2015). Portrayal of mental illness on the TV show Monk: Presumed
influence and consequences of exposure. Health Communication, 30(10), 1046-1054.
doi:10.1080/10410236.2014.917840.
McKeever, R. (2015) Vicarious experience: Experimentally testing the effects of empathy for
media characters with severe depression and the intervening role of perceived similarity.
Health Communication, 30(11), 1122-1034. doi:10.1080/10410236.2014.921969.
Rasmussen, E., & Ewoldsen, D. (2013). Dr. Phil and Psychology Today as self-help treatments
of mental illness: A content analysis of popular psychology programming. Journal of Health
Communication, 18(1), 610-623. doi:10.1080/10810730.2012.921969.
Segrin, C. (2006). Family interactions and well-being: Integrative perspectives. The Journal of
Family Communication, 6(1). doi:10.1207/s15327698jfc0601_2.
Vayreda, A., & Antaki, C. (2009). Social support and unsolicited advice in a bipolar online
forum. Qualitative Health Research, 19(7), 931-942. doi:10.1177/1049732309338952.