silver linings playbook bipolar disorder essay

Romcom’s silver lining is its portrayal of mental illness

Professor of Psychology, The University of Melbourne

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From Psycho onward, film portrayals of the mentally ill have contributed to the stigma faced by people with these conditions. Films tend to create and reinforce stereotypes of the mentally ill as “ homicidal maniacs and narcissistic parasites ”. Silver Linings Playbook is a refreshing departure from this pattern.

Exaggerated cinematic portrayals of mental illness have largely bypassed bipolar disorder , whose periods of depression alternate with episodes of mania or milder hypomania. People experiencing bipolar disorder may believe they have special powers, go without sleep, talk incessantly, act recklessly and experience racing thoughts and irritability.

Silver Linings Playbook , whose main character suffers from bipolar disorder, portrays the condition with unusual honesty. Pat, played by Bradley Cooper, has just been released from a court-ordered stint in a Baltimore psychiatric hospital after violently attacking the man who was having an affair with his wife (the movie’s own shower scene, presented in flashback).

Having lost his wife, home and teaching job, he moves in with his parents and is soon pursued by Tiffany, a grieving widow played by Jennifer Lawrence, who is lost in her own darkness. An improbable romance develops while Pat tentatively reconnects with family and friends.

The film presents bipolar disorder deftly and accurately. Pat has periods of sleeplessness and paranoia, hatches wild plans to win back his wife in spite of her restraining order and resists taking medication. He blurts out his uncensored thoughts, flies into hair-triggered rages and hallucinates when stressed. He lacks insight into his effect on others and uses glib therapy-speak when he talks with them.

His search for the silver linings in life seems desperate, driven by a need to deny and avoid the presence of “negativity” wherever he sees it; a novel by Hemingway, who was perhaps bipolar himself, is angrily hurled through a window for lacking a happy ending. Pat’s confusion and fear while “white-knuckling it” through his turmoil is palpable. For all this, he’s a fully realised, rounded and sympathetic character, not a psychiatric exhibit.

The other people in Pat’s life are also captured with warmth and acuity. His brother and his best friend act awkwardly around him, apologising cravenly for failing to visit him in hospital. His father, Pat Senior, shares his history of violent behaviour, has an assortment of minor compulsions and superstitions and blames himself for Pat’s predicament.

His mother looks stricken with anxiety but helps to engineer his budding romance. Tiffany pushes him away and pulls him in with savage need. His therapist is down-to-earth and practical, a man who can wear face-paint to the football, not the all-knowing oracle or neurotic buffoon depicted in many movies.

Indeed, perhaps the most truthful aspect of Silver Linings Playbook is that it shows how much Pat is not a solitary sufferer but a man embedded in a web of relationships (romantic and familial) that offer the possibility of recovery and growth.

Although the clinical literature sometimes shows bipolar disorder exclusively as a disease of the brain, with medication as its only effective treatment (a belief that seems to be widely shared among laypeople ), the condition is intimately connected to the person’s experience as a social being. Its episodes are often triggered by interpersonal strife and recovering from them can be aided by some relationships and sabotaged by others.

The importance of relationships for recovery is well established. Social support (having a social network to provide practical help, advice and emotional connection) enhances clinical outcomes in conditions as diverse as schizophrenia and cancer, just as a sense of belonging to social groups promote the health of school students and elderly dementia patients alike.

But relationships can also be destructive. Research on “ expressed emotion ” suggests that people experiencing conditions like bipolar disorder are more likely to relapse, and to do so more severely, when their families are prone to criticise or become emotionally enmeshed with them. Social connections can make and break.

By the end of the film, Pat finds a sense of belonging in the warm embrace of his family and his new love. For others, it’s necessary to escape the structures of home and family and strike out on a journey of self-discovery.

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• Bipolar disorder
• Mental illness

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Ask a Psychiatrist: How Does Silver Linings Playbook Handle Mental Illness?

It’s to be expected that one (or both) of a romantic comedy’s protagonists will go a little crazy in some way. Silver Linings Playbook takes things a step further: Bradley Cooper’s character, Pat, is newly released from a mental hospital, and his romantic foil Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence) is battling her own demons. Neither, however, has the typical Hollywood version of mental illness, i.e. “My second personality is a prostitute with a Cockney accent!”

Pat’s bipolar disorder and Tiffany’s unnamed condition manifest themselves in ways that are realistically, even heartbreakingly mundane; Tiffany texts relative strangers for booty calls when she gets depressed, and Pat channels his mania into long jogs and rants about Hemingway. Yet the film has generated controversy among some reviewers about its portrayal of mental illness. Do the characters get off too easily, their symptoms falling by the wayside as soon as they find one another? Does the film imply that Pat’s medication was doing him more harm than good? Seeking a professional opinion, Vulture consulted with Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Dr. Steven Schlozman. He loved the film.

Silver Linings Playbook has been accused of having an anti-psychiatry bias, but you seem to feel the opposite. It’s Hollywood, so there are still going to be things that are there more for the story than for accuracy. But they did a very nice job of depicting manic depressive illness or bipolar disorder in somebody who’s quite bright, and who has limited but present insight on it. Only about 40 percent of people with bipolar disorder will look back on a manic episode and realize that they were manic. They’ll often say something like, “Yeah, I was going a million miles a minute, but I was also onto something really good, really important, and if you guys hadn’t interrupted me I probably could have pulled it off.”

Pat is able to say, “That was a delusion, this isn’t right.” Yet he still seems to have very little insight into the situation with [his wife] Nikki: thinking he’s going to get her back, without having a real understanding of the repercussions of what he did. We’re the viewers and we feel sympathetic towards him, so in some ways we understand his response. Maybe that’s where some of the controversy’s coming from.

Because beating up the guy who’s having an affair with your wife seems like a fairly sane reaction? There’s plenty of people who don’t have bipolar disorder who do that. If we had just seen that scene, and if psychiatric illness wasn’t any part of the subtext of the movie, we wouldn’t have any reason to believe that that was a manic episode. We would have every reason to believe that that was a crime of passion, and we’ve seen that a million times in movies. But it’s the aftermath, the inability to recognize that what he did was over the top. We see his inability to understand why his ex-wife would have a restraining order against him, his inability to understand that getting her back wouldn’t be as simple as just reading everything on her syllabus. Those are reactions you wouldn’t expect from the average guy who beat the crap out of the person who was having an affair with his wife.

And then you have an added thing here, which is important: Contrary to what people think, it’s really, really hard to be institutionalized for a violent crime unless the mental illness is pretty obvious. So the fact that he was institutionalized for so long in a psychiatric facility, is supposed to give us at least a hint that this was a slam dunk for the courts.

When he’s in the institution, Pat is given a pill, puts it under his tongue to make it look like he took it, then spits it out. I feel like I’ve seen this in hundreds of movies. Yeah, that’s because it happens a lot. [ Laughs ] Yes, we have seen that in hundreds of movies. But that happens all the time on inpatient units. We do our best to get the folks to take their medicine. We can check to see whether they’re taking them in other ways, through blood levels and stuff like that. But you always assume a certain level of lack of adherence to the regime, for a while, as people are getting better. And you can understand it; I mean, if you lack insight into the fact that there’s something not right, it’s hard to come up with a good reason to take the medicine. And even if you know you’re better off on your medicines, a lot of them have really not-nice side effects. So there’s a lot of reasons that you might decide not to take them.

But isn’t there an implication that you’re supposed to root for those characters in some way? Somehow, Pat not taking his meds — which he absolutely needs — is supposed to endear him to the audience. We do read into that a kind of defiance that we find admirable. And who knows what that’s related to; is it related to the stigma that is associated with psychiatric illness, the idea that a medicine can fix these very complex issues? T hinking back on my time on an inpatient unit, I actually feel some admiration for somebody who pushes back a little bit, too. It’s an action that’s meant to be conveyed as a message. Is he doing it because he doesn’t think he’s sick, is it because he’s mad at his doctors, is it because he’s determined to beat this thing on his own? All those things add to someone’s character.

A lot of the criticisms of how the film treats mental illness come down to the fact that Pat is initially resistant to taking his meds, and it’s not clear whether he was taking them again by the end. This might very much have to do with what I do for a living, but I just assumed he went back on them. Towards the end, he says, in what feels like a very sincere way — remember, he’s not been big on lying in the movie — and he says, “I’m taking my meds, I’m doing good.” It never occurred to me that he might have stopped.

What did you make of the scene where Pat and Tiffany are swapping stories about their psychiatric medications? To me, that felt de-stigmatizing, not stigmatizing. They got the pronunciations right, they got the side effects right. I mean, I’ve heard those discussions a thousand times. And actually, on an inpatient unit, those are the discussions you want. And that fact that this scene could so blithely make its way into a mainstream film without a lot of explanation around it — I thought that was important.

We see Pat him have several manic episodes, some of which are violent. He’s basically entirely manic in the film; we don’t really see a depressive episode, do we? No, you’re right. Which makes for a better storyline but it’s not actually the most common case. Even though we picture bipolar disorder as this kind of sine wave thing where you go up-down up-down, most people have mixed states when they’re decompensating. So they’ll have be highly irritable, going a million miles a minute, but not euphoric. Pat is not sleeping, he’s grandiose, he has pressured speech — he actually meets the criteria for mania. And you don’t ever really see a purely depressive state. You see these times where he feels sort of defeated, like that hilarious scene where he finishes the Hemingway book and he goes “WHAT THE FUCK!” and throws it through a window.

The Hemingway scene felt like a very realistic portrayal of someone with mental illness, in that he was feeling this trivial thing so intensely. I say to patients all the time, “Look, you’ve got a really big radar, so you’re going to pick up on a lot of things and feel them real powerfully. And that’s a gift and also a kind of curse.” I’ve seen patients really get worked up over something like that. It’s appropriate to get worked up over Hemingway; that’s fine. It’s not appropriate to throw the book through a window, wake up your parents, and pace and scream about it.

We know that Jennifer Lawrence’s character, Tiffany, has been on meds, but we don’t actually get a diagnosis. What was your take on her from a psychiatric perspective? It’s hard not to see that character and wonder a little about borderline personality disorder for her. I think we’re probably supposed to think that, and then we’re supposed to feel bad about thinking that after we hear her history — which is silly, because people are allowed to have horrible histories and people are allowed to have borderline personality disorder, and there’s nothing wrong with either of those things.

So she’s had a significant response to a pretty awful trauma, the death of her husband. But she wasn’t doing well even before then, because we know she said, “Look, I can barely take care of myself.” And we don’t know whether those medications she talked about being on actually predated or came after that trauma. We can make the assumption that there’s depression, because someone put her on Effexor, which is an antidepressant. But you can have both: You can have depression and borderline personality disorder. I guess I’d be most comfortable just saying: She’s not doing well.

So her symptoms seem plausible: the promiscuity, the mood swings, the lying. Oh yeah. What was frustrating to me as a watcher of the movie is, since she’s basically a foil for Pat’s character development, you don’t see her develop a whole lot. I think her life’s more complicated than she’s leading on. So she’s not out of the woods yet. I’d actually worry a little bit more about her than about him.

The Hollywood convention is that two crazy people find each other and somehow love cancels out all the crazy. Does this film fall into that trap? I did leave the movie with the lingering concern that that could potentially be read into it. I mean, falling in love is an absolutely awesome wonderful thing, but it’s not going to cure bipolar disorder any more than it’s going to cure diabetes. It just doesn’t work that way. The flipside of that is, we know from all sorts of really good studies, that people with psychiatric illnesses — horrible depression, bipolar disorder, even schizophrenia — they do better when they’re in love. That’s one of the things that confers resilience. So it’s not an unheard-of story; the part that’s unheard of is that you suddenly don’t need your medicines and life goes on fine forever.

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Silver linings: an irreverent but real look at mental illness.

Struggling characters bring out everyone's humanity

Writer: Harold S. Koplewicz, MD

Clinical Expert: Harold S. Koplewicz, MD

Movie critics writing about Silver Linings Playbook have had a field day with the “crazy” jokes: “Psycho-comedy.” “It’s crazy good.” “A crazy-boy-meets-wacky-girl romance.” “Crazed but uncrazy lovers.” “Certifiably nuts.”

This is, of course, because this romantic comedy, nominated for eight Academy Awards, is not just about cute screwball behavior (though there’s plenty of that) but about real mental illness, which it approaches irreverently, but also frankly and with unusual empathy. In Silver Linings  the mania and the meltdowns have a serious side, and a diagnosis.

Our hero, Pat Solitano, is a charming and volatile young man with bipolar disorder who’s just been released from 8 months in a psychiatric hospital to which he was committed after beating up his wife’s lover. He’s practically vibrating with intensity as he returns to his parents’ home, armed with new knowledge about his disorder, required visits to a therapist, and medication he’s disinclined to take.

Obsessed with the delusion that he’s going to win back his wife—who, by the way, has taken out a restraining order against him—he spends a lot of time running around the neighborhood to keep in shape (and, we hope, burn off some of that energy), wearing a garbage bag over his clothing to induce more sweating.

Appealing and scary

From the beginning, Pat is appealing and scary in equal measure, and when he meets his match in a sultry and seriously depressed widow named Tiffany, the result is edgy and unpredictable attraction, and, to me, it’s riveting.

But this isn’t a movie review, so whether or not the movie eventually veers into disappointing conventionality, or whether or not the Hollywood ending is too sweet isn’t really the point. The depiction of mental illness is sharp and engaging, with immensely talented leading actors, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, playing flawed but terribly likeable people.

And they’re surrounded by more of the same: family and friends who are odd and obsessive themselves, but also warm and forgiving and unembarrassed by eccentricity.

The support network

Part of the message of the movie is that it takes a lot of mutual support for people to be their best selves, whether or not mental illness is involved. And that if we’re not afraid of mental illness, and we don’t try to hide it, we can help people manage their symptoms and live up to their potential. It’s when Pat realizes who his real love interest is that he is motivated to take his medication, and give up his delusions.

The movie also places Pat’s struggles in an interesting context. His father, played by Robert De Niro, is a Philadelphia Eagles obsessive with full-blown rituals and a history of outbursts at games that have gotten him banned from the stadium. You find yourself thinking there’s a familial element to Pat’s disorder, genetic loading of some kind.

But the theme of sports rituals and superstitions helps make a bigger point, that in the broad spectrum of human behavior, the dividing line between what’s considered normal and what’s not can be pretty hard to discern.

Openness and acceptance

This comes into focus most forcefully in a funny scene in the parking lot at an Eagles game where even Pat’s mild-mannered Indian psychiatrist is wearing face paint and getting pumped-up. When the pregame partying degenerates into mayhem, Pat, who is the one with the diagnosis, is the last guy to succumb to the frenzy.

The movie has been marketed with YouTube videos of football fans talking about their superstitions, ranging from a guy who can’t wash his jersey unless his team loses to a woman who has to hold her breath before every snap. (Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, by the way, has to eat exactly three chocolate chip cookies the night before every game.)

Budweiser has made a bunch of commercials about football fan rituals that has the tag line: “It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.” Which is, in its own way, a kind of advertisement for the openness the movie promotes. There’s a recognition that mental illness is real and needs to be treated that way, with therapy and/or medication—whatever works—but the feelings and behaviors involved aren’t alien to any of us.

The more we accept that, and the more we aren’t ashamed or afraid, the better off we all will be.

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Silver Linings Playbook Essay

Psychologists have proposed multiple psychological theories for explaining bipolar disorder. This paper will concentrate on the Psychosocial Developmental Stages model of Erik Ericson and the defense mechanisms model of Sigmund Freud for relating to and explaining Pat's behavior and pathology. Erik Erikson Psychosocial Stages of Development Erikson's human developmental stages are grounded in his psychosocial development theory, wherein he posits that a person encounters 8 key psychosocial conflicts in life (at these stages), capable of leading to bipolar outcomes. Failed conflict resolution at any stage(s) can affect the evolution of subsequent stages and result in pathology (Erikson, 1968; Erikson, 1982). This may be applied to the case of Pat; a developmental phase conflict, perhaps, remained unresolved, interrupting his personality evolution and causing the disorder. The early phases, distrust against trust, doubt and shame against independence, and guilt against enterprise hinge on primary caregivers (i.e., parents). Parental rejection, punishment and inconsistency in reacting to their baby may give rise to distrust, guilt and shame. Here, a healthy conflict balance is imperative to developmental advancement (Fleming, 2004). Pat's parents, perhaps, failed to properly fulfill his primary psychosocial requirements, thus impacting his personality growth (Pat Sr. agrees he wasn't an attentive father). Pat Sr. himself is an OCD patient and Dolores seems anxiety-prone. This may have impacted Pat's childhood home atmosphere balance, thereby leaving some of his developmental conflicts unresolved. Erikson's developmental phases extend to a person's adult years as well (Erikson, 1968). Young adults face an isolation-against- closeness conflict which, if unresolved, can cause overdependence on a spouse/partner or anxiety when committing to long-term relationships, as seen with Pat. A fear of closeness and the ensuing distance between partners, as seen with Pat, might lead to isolation or loneliness,…

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Diagnosis and Treatment Plan

Symptoms, Duration, Severity, and Precipitant Factors Pat Solitano was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for 8 months. This was after he nearly beat to death a man he had found his wife, Nikki, cheating with. Pat is around 30 years old and is a Caucasian man who is living provisionally with Bipolar Disorder. On being released from the hospital after the eighth month, Pat went to live with his parents, Dolores

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Understanding Bipolar 1 and 2 through the Silver Linings Playbook

Imagine living in a world where your emotions swing from euphoric highs to crushing lows. One moment, you feel invincible, ready to conquer the world, and in the next, you find yourself drowning in despair. This rollercoaster of emotions is just a glimpse into the complex world of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by extreme mood swings, known as manic and depressive episodes, which can disrupt daily life and relationships. Understanding this condition is crucial to providing support, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for those affected.

In the quest to shed light on bipolar disorder, the critically acclaimed film “Silver Linings Playbook” captivated audiences with its raw portrayal of the disorder through the lives of its characters. By weaving together a compelling narrative and exceptional performances, the film opens a window into the challenges faced by individuals living with bipolar disorder and the impact it has on their relationships and personal journeys.

Intriguingly, “Silver Linings Playbook” delves beyond stereotypes, accurately capturing the tumultuous nature of bipolar disorder and dispelling misconceptions. Through exploring the lives of its characters, the film sensitively brings to the surface the highs and lows, the struggles and triumphs of individuals grappling with this condition.

Join us as we deep dive into the depths of bipolar disorder, dissecting the different types, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria. Together, we will also unravel the distinctions between Bipolar 1 and 2, and examine the prevalence and statistics surrounding this often misunderstood disorder. Furthermore, we will embark on an exploration of “Silver Linings Playbook,” analyzing its plot, the depiction of bipolar disorder, and its relevance to real-life experiences.

Let us embark on this journey of empathy, understanding, and enlightenment, as we seek to unveil the mysterious veils of bipolar disorder and its silver linings.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. To truly comprehend its impact, it is essential to delve into its definition, its different types, and the common symptoms and diagnostic criteria associated with this disorder.

Definition and Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy levels, and activity levels. Individuals with this disorder experience episodes of mania, which involves elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsive behavior, as well as episodes of depression, which encompass feelings of sadness, lethargy, and hopelessness.

There are three main types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, and Cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar 1 is distinguished by manic episodes that last for at least seven days or require hospitalization, accompanied by depressive episodes that last for at least two weeks. On the other hand, individuals with Bipolar 2 experience hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than full-blown mania, along with depressive episodes. Cyclothymic disorder involves persistent but less severe mood swings, with symptoms lasting for at least two years.

Common Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria

Recognizing the symptoms and diagnostic criteria of bipolar disorder is crucial in identifying this condition early and initiating appropriate treatment. Some common symptoms of bipolar disorder include:

1. Manic symptoms: These may include excessive energy, euphoria, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, inflated self-esteem, excessive talking, and impulsive behavior.

2. Depressive symptoms: These may encompass persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide.

Bipolar disorder is typically diagnosed based on specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It requires the presence of one or more manic or hypomanic episode(s), accompanied by one or more depressive episode(s), lasting for a significant period of time and causing impairment in daily functioning.

Accurate diagnosis and differentiation of bipolar disorder from other mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety, can be challenging. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a qualified mental health professional who can conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the presence of bipolar disorder based on the established diagnostic criteria.

By understanding the definition, the various types, and the common symptoms and diagnostic criteria associated with bipolar disorder, we can begin to unravel the complexities of this condition. Such knowledge serves as an indispensable foundation for providing appropriate support and guidance to individuals living with bipolar disorder and promoting mental well-being within our communities.

Differentiating Bipolar 1 and 2

While bipolar disorder encompasses a spectrum of mood disorders, including Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2, it is essential to understand the characteristics and key differences between the two. By exploring these distinctions, we can gain deeper insight into the unique challenges individuals face, as well as the prevalence and statistics surrounding these specific types of bipolar disorder.

Characteristics and Key Differences between Bipolar 1 and 2

The primary distinction between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 lies in the severity of the manic episodes experienced by individuals. Bipolar 1 is characterized by full-blown manic episodes, which involve a distinct period of abnormally elevated mood, increased energy, and intense activity. These manic episodes may last for at least seven days or require hospitalization. In contrast, individuals with Bipolar 2 experience hypomanic episodes, which are less severe and shorter in duration than full manic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are characterized by elevated mood and increased energy but without the excessive impulsivity or impaired functioning associated with manic episodes.

Another fundamental difference between the two types is the presence of depressive episodes. Both Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 individuals experience depressive episodes, which involve persistent sadness, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep and appetite. However, in Bipolar 1, depressive episodes tend to be more severe and longer-lasting compared to Bipolar 2.

Prevalence and Statistics

The prevalence of Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 varies among the population. Bipolar 1 is generally estimated to be less common, affecting approximately 1-2% of the population. It tends to manifest earlier in life, often in adolescence or early adulthood. On the other hand, Bipolar 2 appears to be more prevalent, with estimates ranging from 1-3%, and it often presents later in life, typically in the late teens or early twenties.

Both types of bipolar disorder can have a substantial impact on an individual’s daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. It is crucial to recognize the unique challenges faced by individuals with each type and tailor treatment approaches accordingly.

Furthermore, it is important to note that bipolar disorder is not limited to these two types alone. Within the bipolar spectrum, there are other variations and subtypes, such as rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, in which individuals experience four or more mood episodes within a year.

Understanding the differences between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 allows us to grasp the nuances of the disorder and provide appropriate support and treatment options. By increasing awareness and knowledge surrounding these variations, we can foster empathy and compassion for individuals living with bipolar disorder and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society.

Exploring the Silver Linings Playbook

The critically acclaimed film “Silver Linings Playbook” provides a compelling narrative that not only captivates audiences but also sheds light on the realities of living with bipolar disorder. By delving into the plot, examining the depiction of bipolar disorder in the film, and exploring its relevance to real-life experiences, we can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of this condition on individuals and their relationships.

Plot Summary and Main Characters

“Silver Linings Playbook” tells the story of Pat Solitano, played by Bradley Cooper, as he navigates life after being discharged from a mental health facility. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, reunite with his estranged wife, and find the silver linings in every situation. Along the way, he encounters Tiffany Maxwell, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, a young woman also struggling with her own emotional challenges.

As Pat and Tiffany form an unlikely connection, their journey unravels themes of love, redemption, and the pursuit of happiness amidst the complexities of mental illness. The film explores the impact of bipolar disorder not only on the individuals directly affected but also on their families and those around them.

Depiction of Bipolar Disorder in the Film

“Silver Linings Playbook” offers a sensitive portrayal of bipolar disorder, showcasing the highs and lows that individuals with the condition experience. The film accurately depicts the whirlwind of emotions, impulsive behaviors, and intense mood swings associated with the disorder. Through Pat’s character, the audience witnesses the challenges of managing manic and depressive episodes, as well as the impact of medication and therapy on his journey towards stability.

The film also addresses the importance of social support and empathy in the recovery process. It highlights the significance of understanding mental health conditions, reducing stigma, and cultivating a compassionate environment for individuals with bipolar disorder.

Relevance to Real-Life Experiences

“Silver Linings Playbook” resonates with real-life experiences of individuals living with bipolar disorder and their loved ones. The film portrays the struggles and triumphs faced by those grappling with the condition, showcasing the resilience and strength required to navigate life’s challenges.

By shedding light on the realities of bipolar disorder, the film encourages dialogue about mental health, fostering empathy and understanding. It prompts viewers to reflect on the importance of support systems, professional help, and self-care in managing bipolar disorder effectively.

Furthermore, “Silver Linings Playbook” emphasizes the message that finding the silver linings in life, despite the challenges one faces, is possible. It is a reminder that individuals with bipolar disorder deserve love, acceptance, and opportunities for growth, just like everyone else.

In essence, “Silver Linings Playbook” serves as both entertainment and a medium for education. It offers a poignant portrayal of bipolar disorder, encouraging audiences to deepen their understanding of the condition and promoting empathy for those affected. By exploring the film’s plot, depiction of bipolar disorder, and its relevance to real-life experiences, we can continue the conversation surrounding mental health and contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder

Effective management of bipolar disorder requires a comprehensive treatment approach that combines medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. By exploring these treatment options, individuals living with bipolar disorder can find strategies to stabilize their moods, manage symptoms, and improve their overall well-being.

Medications

Medications play a crucial role in treating bipolar disorder by helping to stabilize mood and reduce the frequency and severity of mood episodes. Commonly prescribed medications include mood stabilizers, such as lithium, anticonvulsants like valproate and lamotrigine, and atypical antipsychotics, such as olanzapine and quetiapine.

It is important to consult with a psychiatrist who can carefully evaluate individual needs and prescribe the most suitable medication regimen. Regular monitoring and adjustments may be necessary to ensure optimal effectiveness and minimize potential side effects.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is an essential component of bipolar disorder treatment. Various therapeutic approaches can help individuals manage their symptoms, cope with stress, and develop strategies for maintaining stability.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mood swings. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) aims to stabilize daily routines, improve sleep patterns, and enhance interpersonal relationships. Family-focused therapy involves educating family members about bipolar disorder and teaching them effective communication and problem-solving skills to support their loved one.

Therapy sessions can also provide a safe space for individuals to express their feelings, gain insight into their condition, and develop effective coping strategies.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to medications and therapy, adopting certain lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on managing bipolar disorder. These changes may include:

1. Regular Sleep Patterns: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can help regulate mood and minimize the risk of triggering manic or depressive episodes.

2. Stress Management: Developing healthy coping techniques, such as practicing mindfulness, engaging in regular physical exercise, and participating in relaxation techniques, can help individuals better manage stress and reduce the risk of mood fluctuations.

3. Substance Use Moderation: Alcohol and drug use can exacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder, so it is important to limit or avoid the use of substances.

4. Supportive Relationships: Building a strong support system of understanding family members, friends, and support groups can provide valuable emotional support and guidance throughout the journey of managing bipolar disorder.

It is essential to work with healthcare professionals to tailor treatment plans to individual needs. A holistic approach combining medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes has been shown to be most effective in managing bipolar disorder and promoting stability and well-being.

By embracing a comprehensive treatment plan, individuals with bipolar disorder can achieve stable moods, prevent relapses, and lead fulfilling lives. It is crucial to remember that treatment may need to be adjusted over time, and open communication with healthcare providers is vital to ensure ongoing success in managing bipolar disorder effectively.

Living with Bipolar Disorder

Living with bipolar disorder requires resilience, self-care, and the support of others. By exploring coping strategies and self-care techniques, as well as the importance of support systems and available resources, individuals with bipolar disorder can lead fulfilling and balanced lives.

Coping Strategies and Self-Care

Developing effective coping strategies is crucial in managing the challenges posed by bipolar disorder. Here are some strategies that can help individuals maintain stability and promote overall well-being:

1. Developing a Routine: Establishing a structured daily routine can provide stability and help regulate mood swings. This includes consistent sleep patterns, regular meal times, and engaging in self-care activities.

2. Monitoring Mood and Triggers: Keeping track of mood shifts, identifying triggers, and understanding warning signs can enable individuals to take proactive measures to prevent or manage episodes. Journaling, mood tracking apps, and therapy can aid in this process.

3. Stress Management Techniques: Learning and implementing stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness, can assist in managing stress and preventing mood episodes.

4. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, and avoiding substance abuse can contribute to overall well-being and help manage symptoms.

Support Systems and Resources

Establishing a strong support system is essential for individuals with bipolar disorder. Surrounding oneself with understanding and empathetic family members, friends, and support groups can provide emotional support, encouragement, and guidance. Participating in support groups, either in-person or online, allows individuals to connect with others who share similar experiences, providing a sense of belonging and validation.

Furthermore, accessing professional resources is vital for effective management of bipolar disorder. Consulting with psychiatrists, psychologists, or therapists who specialize in mood disorders can offer expert guidance and treatment options tailored to individual needs. Additionally, organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provide educational resources, support groups, and advocacy for individuals with bipolar disorder and their families.

In times of crisis, it is important to have a safety plan in place. This may involve identifying emergency contacts, knowing when and how to seek immediate medical attention, and having a list of support services readily available.

Building Resilience and Thriving

Living with bipolar disorder does not mean that a fulfilling life is out of reach. With proper treatment, self-care, and support, individuals can build resilience and thrive despite the challenges they face. Adhering to treatment plans, communicating openly with healthcare providers, and being proactive in managing one’s well-being are crucial.

By developing effective coping strategies, embracing self-care practices, building supportive networks, and accessing available resources, individuals with bipolar disorder can lead balanced, productive lives. It is essential to remember that seeking help and support is a sign of strength, and no one has to navigate this journey alone.

Creating a compassionate and understanding society that supports the well-being of people with bipolar disorder is crucial. By fostering awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting inclusivity, we can create a world where individuals with bipolar disorder can find the understanding, acceptance, and support they deserve.In conclusion, understanding bipolar disorder and its nuances is essential for providing support, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for individuals living with this condition. Throughout this exploration, we have gained insights into the definition and types of bipolar disorder, the common symptoms and diagnostic criteria, the distinctions between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2, and the prevalence and statistics surrounding this complex mental health disorder.

Furthermore, the critically acclaimed film “Silver Linings Playbook” has served as a vehicle for empathy and understanding. By delving into its plot, examining its portrayal of bipolar disorder, and exploring its relevance to real-life experiences, we have witnessed the impact of this condition on individuals and their relationships. The film goes beyond stereotypes, dispelling misconceptions, and shedding light on the challenges faced by those living with bipolar disorder.

Treatment options for bipolar disorder encompass medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. A comprehensive approach, tailored to individual needs, can promote stability, manage symptoms, and enhance overall well-being. By embracing coping strategies, engaging in self-care, and building support systems, individuals can lead fulfilling lives while managing bipolar disorder effectively.

It is crucial for society to foster empathy, reduce stigma, and provide accessible resources for individuals with bipolar disorder and their loved ones. Through awareness, education, and open dialogue, we can create an inclusive and compassionate environment that supports mental health.

In the pursuit of understanding and supporting individuals with bipolar disorder, we can discover the silver linings within their journeys. By recognizing their resilience, embracing their unique experiences, and prioritizing their well-being, we can break down barriers and pave the way for a more compassionate and empathetic society.

Ultimately, our collective efforts in comprehending and valuing the experiences of those with bipolar disorder can contribute to a world where mental health is destigmatized, support is readily available, and individuals can thrive despite the challenges they face. Let us continue to advocate, learn, and support one another on this journey towards a more inclusive and understanding society.

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Movie Reviews

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Pat is curiously confident and upbeat for a man just released from a mental hospital and under a restraining order from his wife. That's because he's determined to repair the damage he's done to his life and surprise everyone by moving ever onward and upward. His motto is, "Excelsior!" What stage of bipolar disorder would you guess he's in?

At the top of his priority list is rebuilding his marriage with his wife; after they split, he beat up her new boyfriend, but what's past is past. Pat ( Bradley Cooper ) assures his parents, Pat Sr. and Dolores ( Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver ), that all will be well. They're not so sure. One of the charms of "Silver Linings Playbook," the screwy new comedy by David O. Russell , is how Dolores is a sane and caring woman and has had long experience in dealing with compulsive behavior, because her husband is a fanatic fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. Having been banned from the Eagles' stadium for fighting, Pat Sr. now focuses uneasily on his TV set, convinced that the Eagles will win only if his several superstitions are fulfilled.

Pat Jr. in desperation is drawn toward Tiffany (2010 Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence ), a young widow in the neighborhood. Lawrence appears here much transformed from the woman we saw in " Winter's Bone " and " The Hunger Games ." Still only 22, she looks softer, sweeter and somehow prettier than before, yet she plays Tiffany as all edges and elbows, who can understand Pat because she's crazy herself. People call her a slut, and she agrees. She's pissed off about Pat because he continues to obsess about his ex-wife — and also because much of her value to him is that's she's still in contact with the other woman.

In supporting roles, we meet Danny ( Chris Tucker ), Pat's fellow patient at the hospital, and Dr. Cliff Patel ( Anupam Kher ), his shrink. Danny's worried that Pat's off his meds. Dr. Patel plays an increasingly common type in American movies, the Indian immigrant who seems to embody certain stereotypes and then is revealed to be completely assimilated.

Tiffany thinks she and Pat should have sex. Pat objects. He doesn't want to be unfaithful to his ex-wife. Tiffany's eyes narrow. We realize Pat doesn't have a chance. This all builds up into a classic screwball comedy situation in which two bets are inspired — one involving an Eagles-Cowboys game and the other involving a ballroom dancing contest that Tiffany has forced Pat to join her in with a form of emotional blackmail.

How these bets play out I will, of course, not hint. I will note that Pat, in keeping with family tradition, gets in trouble at the game for fighting. Don't you sometimes wish movies watched other movies? Imagine Pat running into the Patton Oswalt character from " Big Fan ." How cool would that be?

I love actors. I've been on an almost lifelong journey with Robert De Niro, and feel intimately familiar with him as an actor (not as a person). Here his work unobtrusively charmed my socks off. He's harmlessly obsessed with the Eagles, gratefully in love with his wife and cluelessly supportive of his son, who he doesn't realize is an apple who has fallen very close to the tree.

One of the ingenious and sort of brave accomplishments of Russell's screenplay (inspired by a novel by Matthew Quick ) is the way it requires both father and son to face and deal with their mental problems and against all odds finds a way to do that through both an Eagles game and a dance contest. We're fully aware of the plot conventions at work here, the wheels and gears churning within the machinery, but with these actors, this velocity and the oblique economy of the dialogue, we realize we don't often see it done this well. "Silver Linings Playbook" is so good, it could almost be a terrific old classic.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity

122 minutes

Robert De Niro as Pat Sr.

Chris Tucker as Danny

Julia Stiles as Veronica

Bradley Cooper as Pat

Jennifer Lawrence as Tiffany

Jacki Weaver as Dolores

Written and directed by

• David O. Russell

Based on the novel by

• Matthew Quick

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Silver Linings Playbook

By Margaret Poling

The 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook , directed by David O. Russell (b. 1958) and based on the novel by Collingswood, New Jersey, native Matthew Quick (b. 1973), experienced overnight success when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and earned the highly sought-after Audience Award. Filmed in and around Philadelphia, the movie showcases the region’s distinct character and culture.

Starring Bradley Cooper (b. 1975), the film follows Pat Solitano Jr. as he returns to the Philadelphia suburb of Delaware County to move in with his parents, who are characterized by their dedication to the Philadelphia Eagles professional football team. Pat has to cope with his new life after being released from a mental institution, where he was treated for bipolar disorder . Focused on attending therapy sessions and jogging around his family’s suburban neighborhood to win back his ex-wife’s affections, Pat is surprised when he makes a new friend: a young woman named Tiffany Maxwell, played by Jennifer Lawrence (b. 1990). United by their painful pasts, this unlikely couple finds companionship in and around the City of Brotherly Love.

The film’s plot, characters, and Greater Philadelphia setting are derived from Quick’s 2008 novel of the same name. Although the book takes place in the author’s hometown of Collingswood, the filmmakers decided to set many scenes in Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania suburbs. While several elements differ between the book and film versions, the heart of the story and its regional inspiration shine through in its adaptation.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Cooper fit the role of Irish-Italian Eagles fanatic Pat Solitano perfectly. “I’m from Philly,” Cooper said in an interview published in 2012 by the website Deadline Hollywood . “I’m obsessed with the Eagles, I’m Italian Irish, my parents grew up in households very similar to [Pat’s family].”

Learning the Local Lingo

Although Cooper was unfamiliar with his character’s bipolarism and scoured a multitude of documentaries during the weeks prior to filming, his expertise about Philadelphia proved helpful to several members of the cast. For example, Jacki Weaver (b. 1947), the Australian actress who played Pat Jr.’s mother, Dolores Solitano, often listened to the Philadelphia accent of Cooper’s real mother when she came to the set. Cooper’s uncle also visited during filming and offered advice on Philly dialect to Robert De Niro (b. 1943), who played Pat Solitano Sr. Thus, both Cooper and his family helped bring authenticity to the film through their knowledge and love for the city of Philadelphia.

Filming in the Philadelphia area over a thirty-three-day period during fall 2011, Russell sought to capture the essence of a white, middle-class suburban Philadelphia family in a short span of time. To do so, many of Silver Linings ’ scenes were shot in close proximity in Delaware County , including in Lansdowne and Ridley Park Boroughs and Upper Darby Township. The center of the film is unquestionably the Solitano household, which is set in a black and white stone home. Many of the jogging scenes in which Cooper memorably wears a trash bag to burn more calories were filmed in the neighborhoods of Delaware County. Another memorable scene takes place at the Llanerch Diner, 95 E. Township Line Road, Upper Darby, where Pat and Tiffany have their first “date,” which Pat asserts is not actually a date.

Although much of the film was shot in the suburbs of Philadelphia, some of the final scenes take place closer to the heart of the city. Toward the end of the film, Pat and his friends are shown pre-gaming on Wells Fargo Center Lot D just outside Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Later, the climax of the film takes place in Center City in the ballroom of the Benjamin Franklin House , where Pat and Tiffany’s dance competition decides the fate of Pat Sr.’s dream of opening a restaurant. In the final scene of the film, viewers see Pat and Tiffany kiss on Jewelers Row , near Eighth and Samson Streets.

Silver Linings Playbook garnered acclaim from viewers and critics. During the 2013 awards season, Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress honors from the Screen Actors Guild , the Golden Globes , and the Academy Awards . Silver Linings also garnered several MTV Movie and Independent Spirit awards, as well as additional Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild nominations. David O. Russell won the Best Director award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts , and the film won Movie of the Year from the American Film Institute . With the help of the region’s distinctive culture and character, Silver Linings Playbook became a bright star showcasing the place many Philadelphians simply call home.

Margaret Poling is a Teaching Assistant and M.A. candidate studying English at Rutgers University-Camden. (Author information current at time of publication.)

Copyright 2018, Rutgers University

Benjamin Franklin House

The Benjamin Franklin House in Center City was the backdrop for a fictitious dance competition in Silver Linings Playbook . The film's protagonist, portrayed by Bradley Cooper, tries to reconcile with his estranged wife by joining the competition to show he has become a better person. In this photograph from November 2011, cast and crew gather in the lobby before the day’s shoot.

Bradley Cooper

Wikimedia Commons

Bradley Cooper (b. 1975) is an American actor best known for his starring roles in Hollywood comedies and dramas. Cooper attended Germantown Academy and Villanova University before graduating from Georgetown University in 1997. Roles in the television drama Alias (2001–06) and comedy films Wedding Crashers (2005) and The Hangover (2009) launched Cooper’s acting career, leading to a string of roles in critically acclaimed films including Silver Linings Playbook .

For his role in Playbook , Cooper recalled his childhood memories in Philadelphia. Like protagonist Pat Solitano, Cooper is of Irish-Italian heritage and a devoted follower of the Philadelphia Eagles. Cooper’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination; subsequent projects included American Hustle (2013) and American Sniper (2014). (Photograph by Chad J. McNeeley)

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence (b. 1990) is an American actress known for her award-winning film performances throughout the early twenty-first century. After several local theater performances and an early graduation from high school, Lawrence moved from Louisville, Kentucky, to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She followed a two-year run on television sitcom The Bill Engvall Show (2007–09) with the lead role in 2010 drama film Winter’s Bone ; for this performance, she received her first Academy Award nomination.

Lawrence’s portrayal of Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook won her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2013. She followed this role with performances in the Hunger Games and X-Men series, as well as further Oscar-nominated work in American Hustle (2013) and Joy (2015). (Photograph by Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons; used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. )

Matthew Quick

Matthew Quick (b. 1973) is an American author known for his adult and young adult fiction novels. Quick lived in Oaklyn, New Jersey, throughout his childhood and attended Collingswood High School, later receiving a bachelor’s degree from La Salle University and an MFA from Goddard College.

Quick’s debut novel The Silver Linings Playbook was published in 2008 and became a critical and commercial success. Although the book takes place in the author’s hometown, the filmmakers decided to set many scenes in Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania suburbs.

Additional works by Quick include Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock (2013), The Good Luck of Right Now (2014), and The Reason You’re Alive (2017). (Photograph by LaSalleExplorer, Wikimedia Commons; used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. )

Related Topics

• Greater Philadelphia
• Philadelphia and the World
• Philadelphia and the Nation
• Philadelphia, the Place that Loves You Back

Time Periods

• Twenty-First Century
• Delaware County, Pennsylvania
• Films (Feature)
• Inner Suburbs
• Social Dancing

Related Reading

Brownfield, Paul. “The Very Specific World of Silver Linings Playbook .” Deadline, 2012.

Jennings, James. “The Llanerch to JLaw’s House, Silver Linings Playbook Mapped.” Philly Curbed, 2014.

Schillaci, Sophie. “Spirit Awards 2013: Is Silver Linings an Indie?” The Hollywood Reporter, 2013.

“Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Film Locations.” The Movie District.

Quick, Matthew. Silver Linings Playbook . Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2008.

Related Places

• The Llanerch Diner
• Lansdowne Theater
• Lincoln Financial Field
• Benjamin Franklin House (later known as The Franklin Residences)
• Jewelers Row
• Q&A with 'Silver Linings Playbook' author Matthew Quick (Entertainment Weekly)
• Jennifer Lawrence Wins Best Actress Oscar - 2013 (YouTube)
• Matthew Quick calls Silver Linings Playbook film adaptation 'very true to the spirit of the book’ (WHYY)
• A Mental Breakdown with Many 'Silver Linings' (NPR)
• Mental Illness, Replacement Stars, Major Rewrites: The Making of 'Silver Linings Playbook' (Hollywood Reporter)

Connecting the Past with the Present, Building Community, Creating a Legacy

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Silver Linings Playbook

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Silver Linings Playbook Analysis

In the movie Silver Linings Playbook, by David O. Russel we meet Patrick Solitano Jr. who was a former high school teacher. After catching his wife cheating with the history teacher he viciously beats him and has to spend eight months in a mental hospital. After coming out of the mental hospital, Pat approaches life in a very different way. He is determined to get his ex-wife Nikki back, which he still refers to as his wife. Pat is also diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression disorder.

Sybil: A Short Film Analysis

Today there has been an increase in the awareness of mental health. In the sense that society has begun to take notice of how mental health effects each individual differently. The media has begun to incorporate a variety of illnesses to entertain to their audience. However, many have questioned if the media is accurately portraying these mental disorders. I chose to compare two popular movies Frankie & Alice and the 2007 version film Sybil.

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The Psychopathology of 'Silver Linings Playbook'

Who is the most psychologically disturbed character in this movie.

Posted December 23, 2018 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

If the Silver Linings Playbook (2012) is a movie that is near and dear to your heart, you probably won’t want to read any further. Apparently, this movie has been sold to people as some kind of romantic comedy. I can understand enjoying the movie, but only if you have a thing for depictions of the slow-motion train wrecks that are other people's lives.

First of all, let's be clear: Everyone in the film is neurotic , not just the Bradley Cooper character ("Pat"), who was just released from a psychiatric hospital. Does Pat have bipolar disorder , as the film suggests? Of course not. There are no discrete episodes of mania (lasting a week or more) or major depression (lasting two or more weeks). What Pat did was to very nearly kill the man he caught naked in the shower with his wife. If we label that act "crazy," then it follows that the person who did it must be crazy (who else does crazy things except crazy people?).

If A, then B; B, therefore, A. That's a logical fallacy.

The bipolar diagnosis was a legal ploy concocted by Pat's defense attorney with the connivance of a compliant legal system — a plea bargain: We don't want to jail you for trying to kill this guy, so go to a psych hospital for a few months instead.

Note that Pat's best friend in the hospital (Chris Tucker) was also psychiatrically hospitalized for criminal acts (assault while high on methamphetamine). His purported " ADHD " and " anxiety disorder" had nothing to do with the violence he committed. How anyone could possibly diagnose either ADHD or anxiety disorder in someone actively abusing meth is beyond my comprehension.

The psychiatrist, Dr. Patel, is arguably no more (no less?) neurotic than Pat. (In fact, Pat and Patel are probably supposed to be some kind of doppelganger.) He is found at a Philadelphia Eagles game, shirtless and with his face painted green. Note that Dr. Patel is the only psychiatrist in the world who wouldn't make adherence to mood-stabilizing medication as a condition for continued treatment for bipolar illness. Because Patel does not insist that Pat take medication (of any sort), we know that not even Patel believes in Pat's phoney-baloney bipolar diagnosis.

Pat's father (Robert de Niro) displays what we used to call an obsessive neurosis; nowadays we might exaggerate and call it OCD . It's a nice portrayal of the common derangement typical of sports fanatics. If you think about sports all the time, it is impossible to focus on what’s wrong with the rest of your life. The mother is probably what we used to call a hysteric with a primary defense mechanism of denial . I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that she is continually disappointed that her physicians never can seem to find out what’s behind her host of health complaints.

Pat's best friend (the guy who is married to Julia Styles) is probably the most disturbed character. One only hopes that he never loses his job and thus his income, which is the only shred of identity he has. He wouldn't be able to face telling his wife about getting fired, so he'll have to kill her when she comes home from her latest trip to the mall. Then, of course, he'll have to kill the baby, not because he wouldn't want it to grow up without a mother, but because he couldn't stand for the kid to grow up knowing that his father was a monster who killed his own wife. Then he'll kill himself. Pretty typical family annihilator.

The Julia Styles character has lost her soul, of course, warped by home remodeling shows and online shopping. She could never be happy in a home without high-end countertops, and the worst thing is, she has no idea why that is. She doesn't like those expensive things — other people and the media have told her that those are the kind of things that she should like. She has no idea what she actually likes or wants. Which means that she doesn't have a self anymore.

The Jennifer Lawrence character ("Tiffany") is a fine example of borderline personality disorder ( substance abuse — drinking straight vodkas before the dance performance; promiscuity; mood instability; chronic feelings of emptiness; uncertain sense of identity; etc.). She even tells Pat flat out that she feels "empty" all the time. Oh, and by the way, Tiffany's dead husband? Think about why someone would do something inherently dangerous like stopping to help a stranger fix a flat on a rainy night on the highway. After all, he had a new purchase from Victoria's Secret in the car that he was going to present to Tiffany that night in order to rekindle their flame. He seemed to be strongly ambivalent about getting back home to her.

The characters in this film, without exception, need to do a lot of work on themselves. I look forward to a sequel in which they are all doing productive work and engaging in fulfilling relationships.

Glenn Sullivan, Ph.D. , is a professor of psychology at the Virginia Military Institute and a clinical psychologist in private practice in Lexington, Virginia.

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Why You Should Watch “Silver Linings Playbook”

One of my favorite movies is Silver Linings Playbook.  It is the first mainstream movie I’ve ever seen that accurately depicts the specific symptoms that each character has.  It goes into great detail about delusions, manic episodes, depression and all around bipolar symptoms.  It even goes as far as demonstrating the way people with mental illness deal with relationships, friendships and family issues. 

There is a lot of emotion that goes on in this movie.  From the very beginning it begins to dig deep into rejection, delusions, obsessive behavior and suicidal ideations, and also covers rage fits.  The main character is completely obsessed with winning his wife back.  In one particular scene, he wants to watch the tape of his wedding.  He becomes very desperate because he can’t find it.  The main character starts screaming at his mother because she has hidden it from him and she tries to calm him down.  Accidently, he ends up hitting his mother in his attempts to locate the video.  At this, his father grabs him and throws him onto a mattress.  His dad begins to shake him until he actually begins to break down and cry.  This is a pivotal scene, showing extensively the quick change from one emotion to the next.  This is also one of the most emotional scenes in the movie, especially for those of us who have been in similar situations. 

I would highly recommend this movie because not only does it cover all the emotions that someone with bipolar goes through, but it also covers the uneasiness that people around you might feel due to the lack of knowledge they may have about your illness, or any mental illness.  Stigma is a very serious issue.  In the scene when the two main characters meet for the first time, they are both invited to a dinner that takes place at the main character’s friend’s house. The two main characters begin to talk about their issues and what meds each of them has tried, as well as what they are taking presently.  In this scene, you can see the uncomfortable feelings that everyone else at the dinner is experiencing. The main characters end up leaving together and they start getting to know each other.  Personally, it is hard to find someone who understands what you are going through and puts up with your issues.  That is why it is so important to be honest with someone before you get too involved in a relationship.  Stigma is a direct result of not knowing enough about something or someone.  As I have already pointed out, this movie spans the whole spectrum of emotions. When I first saw Silver Linings Playbook, it was like an emotional roller coaster ride.

I showed this movie to some family members because of the accuracy in the emotional spiral that each character faced.  It was a way to break the ice on a conversation about what I myself and my daughter face on a daily basis.  It is definitely a good way to broach the subject with someone who might otherwise not be easy to open up with.  If you haven’t seen the movie yet, make time for it.  I’m sure that you will relate to it on a psychological level.

Read the rest of Angel’s blogs for IBPF  here  or you can check out her personal blog  here .

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Analysis Of The Movie 'Silver Linings Playbook'

Show More The movie selected for the mental health analysis paper is ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. The main reason for choosing this movie is that it shows a good depiction of bipolar disorder. The entire movie is set in Philadelphia. The main character ‘Pat’ is suffering from a bipolar disorder, who has recently lost his job and was discharged from a mental institution. After getting out of the medical facility, he realizes that Nikki, his wife, has moved away and that his father doesn’t work anymore. Both of Pat’s parents suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Pat is determined to get Nikki back. The main reason why Pat was hospitalized was because he beat the history teacher from his school to death after finding Nikki in the shower with him. …show more content… Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder may end up having poor job performance, disturbed or damaged relationships and may even commit suicide. The main triggers for Pat in the movie was to see his wife in the shower with his co-worker, their wedding songs playing in the background, and a restraining order from the wife. During the whole movie Pat showed several depressive and (hypo)manic swings. He used to blame his parents and his childhood for the instability. Similar to the evidence stated in the research studies regarding (hypo)manic phase, Pat showed aggressive and risky behavior, delusions or psychosis, poor judgement and decreased need for sleep. Furthermore, he has similar symptoms of depressive phase which include anxiety, sadness, sleep issues and loss of interest in various life …show more content… While watching his sessions with the therapist it seems that Pat gets the feedback he needs to think more deeply at his situation. The therapist uses therapeutic communication while talking to him, which at times seems to almost upset Pat but in the end he understands why he does it. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition and its treatment depends upon various factors. Education, therapy and medication together aid the patient in recovering from the condition. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy and Family-focused therapy are commonly used to treat the disorder (Moreno et al., 2007). On the other hand, healthy lifestyle choices help stabilize the mood and behavior. In Pat’s condition, therapies are useful and talking positively would help in relieving his stress and he would be able to see the positivity in his life. The movie has done a brilliant job in portraying a bipolar disorder. All the symptoms presented were in accordance with the bipolar condition. Moreover, the movie shows mental disorders as part of society and that patients suffering from the condition must be given a chance to live in the

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