topic Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you in Staying well

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Emmen — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 07:45:57 GMT

Hello all,

I thought we could do a thread about movies, books, poems, songs etc. about mental illnesses that you feel you could relate to, which kept you going even when times are dark, or which make you feel less alone in your struggles. I hope that by sharing these, we can build up a collection of movies and literature that members of our community can relate to as well. I'll start:

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (book) - topic: depression

Resumé by Dorothy Parker (poem) - topic: reasons not to commit suicide

Cheers,
M

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

quirkywords — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 10:24:05 GMT

Book A brilliant madness by patty duke. All about bipolar.

thanks Emmen

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Guest_1055 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:16:16 GMT

A very old movie called It's a wonderful Life

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Ggrand — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 13:45:43 GMT

Hello Emmen..and everyone...🤗..

Footprints....It’s about a rescue German Shepard, who was rescued by family..Who later becomes the first therapy dog for children while in hospital..,,plenty of tissues are needed..

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Emmen — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 08:03:20 GMT

Thank you for your suggestions, Quirky, Shelll and Grandy! These are some wonderful suggestions!

- M

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Guest_1643 — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 09:44:21 GMT

I have not read this but might read at some point : An Angel At My Table: The Complete Autobiography – Janet Frame
I love Sylvia Plath's poem Tulips which references her time in a psych ward.

I also like Raymond Gaita's Romulus my Father which describes his mother's strugglers with mental health

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Not_Batman — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 09:56:40 GMT

If you are familiar at all with the goons, then you will know spike milligan. He suffered from depression for a great deal of his life. The book is not a normal jovial read like spikes other books, its more of a serious read.

The book ‘Depression and how to survive it’ was given to me to give me some insight into depression. And i thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1250553.Depression_And_How_To_Survive_It

Not_Batman

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Guest_1643 — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 11:36:11 GMT

thanks for the recommendation re spike milligan.

A fiction book I read called Leaving the Atocha Station (Ben Lerner) - was really beautiful writing about mental illness.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

quirkywords — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 11:17:11 GMT

I have read Janet frames autobiography. A talented writer who suffered at a time when people with mental illness were treated badly.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Guest_1643 — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 11:28:39 GMT

Hi Quirky, I've heard it was really good - will try get it to have a read. She does sound remarkable.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Guest_1643 — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 11:38:05 GMT

sadly it has taken so long for the mental health system to update and acknowledge people respectfully. To use strength-based models. Sounds like Janet Frame was ahead of her time.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

orangejuicewithpulp — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 03:17:33 GMT

The one movie that manages to temporarily cure my depression every time I watch it is Lars and the Real Girl. It's a sweet movie with a bubbly soundtrack where Ryan Gosling plays a recluse who falls in love with a sex doll. It sounds like a cynical comedy on the front but it's really a lovely film about opening up and letting other people in.

Similar movies, though not specifically centred around characters with defined mental illnesses per se, are Amelie, Chungking Express, Sideways, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Three Colours: Blue.

There are also some other good movies that focus on socially anxious characters that I enjoy: Punch Drunk Love, Ingrid Goes West and Eighth Grade.

🙂

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Jasjit — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 03:41:20 GMT

Hi everyone!

A beautiful mind (2001) is a movie that explores how our own mind is the best friend or the worst enemy.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

quirkywords — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 03:45:14 GMT

silverlinings playbook

There is a show starring claire danes as a secret agent I think who has bipolar. I have never watched it heard about- think it is called Homelands. Has anyone seen it.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Matchy69 — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 04:04:26 GMT

The movie Girl Interrupted was recommended to me to watch by a girl I met in the mental hospital as she had borderline personality disorder and she told me Winona Ryder character reminded her of herself.It gave me some insight into what she goes through in her daily life.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Guest_1643 — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 04:14:23 GMT

Hi Mark it is a great movie and I'd also recommend the book - it is a memoir written by Susanna Kaysen and I related to some of her story.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Matchy69 — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 05:33:55 GMT

Hi Sleepy yes I knew their was a book but haven't got it yet.It would be an interesting read.I unfortunately no longer talk to my friend who had Borderline personality disorder.I get a bit emotionally when thinking of her and hope she is doing ok.

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Guest_1643 — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 06:49:11 GMT

i was just in hospital myself and met some people I cared about a lot too. Unfortunately I cannot be friends with them either at this point as they are not able to because they are in acute crises and so am i - so we'd not be a good match. It hurts my heart too as I cared about them deeply. I know some people maintain friends from hospital stays but sadly a lot of times it doesn't work out. Sorry about your friend and that you couldn't continue the friendship;

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Guest_1643 — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 06:52:10 GMT

hi mark sorry if that tone sounded a bit harsh - absolutely didn't mean that was trying more to say i'm going through something similar - but not minimilise it. its hard losing friends from hospital 😞

Movies and literature on mental illness that resonated with you

Matchy69 — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 07:13:18 GMT

Thanks Sleepy it's very hard for me as it was completely my fault as I was having another breakdown not related to her.I just wish I could have done things differently.