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Mad, bad, and dangerous to know: psychiatric illness in film and theatre

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2015

C. Conway
C. Conway*
Affiliation:
St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: C. Conway, St Patrick’s University Hospital, James’s Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.(Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Aims

To describe and discuss the portrayal of psychiatric illness in film and theatre.

Method

A review of psychiatric literature on psychiatric illness and stigma was carried out. This was combined with a review of selected films and plays. The dramatic function of mental illness, and the manner of its portrayal, were considered in a discursive manner.

Results

From Ancient Greek theatre to modern film, psychiatric illness has been used to exemplify “otherness”. This has frequently had connotations of danger and violence, either to others or to societal norms. Occasionally psychiatric illness is depicted as transformative, or an understandable reaction to an insane environment, and there is a trend towards more nuanced depictions of mental illness. However, the disproportionate association of mental illness with violence and danger is reflected in the public's perception of mental illness, and contributes to self-stigmatisation.

Conclusion

Ongoing communication between psychiatry, service users and the arts may help to challenge the stereotype of “mad, bad and dangerous to know”.

Keywords

Psychiatry and filmpsychiatry and stigmapsychiatry and theatrepsychiatry and violence
Type
Perspectives
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , March 2016 , pp. 55 - 59
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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