Anxiety Disorders
Analyze This Favorite
Genre: Comedy Year: 1999 Rating: R
Actors: Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow
Topics: Treatment, Anxiety Disorder
I really liked this movie. The portrayal of mixed anxiety and depression (delayed onset PTSD?) is
terrific. Unfortunately, the movie also demonstrates how not to be an ethical psychiatrist (can you
count the number of ways that he violates confidentiality?), but he still is effective (if you believe
in the therapeutic miracle of sudden insight). The best character in the movie is the loyal goon,
Jelly. He was great. See this one.
As Good As It Gets Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1997 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Greg Kinnear, Helen Hunt
Topics: OCD, Personality Disorder
Academy Award winner for Best Actor and Best Actress. Jack Nicholson with Obsessive-
Compulsive Disorder, as well as plenty of Axis II. Really great movie.
Aviator, The Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2005 Rating: R
Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale
Topics: OCD, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective
Academy Award winner for Best Supporting actress and other accomplishments (cinematography,
etc.). Excellent movie. There is much room for diagnosis debate - clear OCD symptoms early on,
but what about paranoia? Manic-type symptoms? Personality considerations? Be sure to also watch
the special features segment on OCD.
Beautiful People
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1999 Rating: R
Actors: Thomas Goodridge, Frank Pruti, Tony Peters
Topics: Drugs/Alcohol, "Bosnian syndrome," Family Dysfunction
A black comedy from Britain. Much like a lighter version of "Crash." The intertwining of lives and
various conflicts allow for discussion of biases and "us" versus "them" mentalities. Also includes
reference to "Bosnian syndrome."
Behind the Lines (aka Regeneration)
Genre: Drama Year: 1997 Rating: R
Actors: Jonathan Pryce, James Wilby, Johnny Lee Miller
Topics: Treatment, PTSD
Story of psychiatrist treating World War I soldiers with "shell shock" in an old Victorian castle.
Even ECT!
Birdy
Genre: Drama Year: 1984 Rating: R
Actors: Nicolas Cage, Matthew Modine, John Harkins
Topics: PTSD
An early Nicolas Cage movie with two returning Vietnam vets dealing with the aftermath of their
combat experiences - one physically and the other mentally.
Captain Newman, M.D. Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 1963 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Gregory Peck, Tony Curtis, Angie Dickinson
Topics: Treatment, PTSD
Great older movie with Gregory Peck as the military psychologist during WW II. Highly
recommended.
Copycat
Genre: Drama Year: 1995 Rating: R
Actors: Sigourney Weaver., Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney
Topics: Anxiety Disorder, Forensic
Sigourney Weaver as an agoraphobic psychologist , oh, and there's a homicidal maniac in the
movie.
Crash Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2004 Rating: R
Actors: Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Ludacris
Topics: Multicultural, PTSD
Academy Award winner for Best Picture. This is a MUST SEE for anyone interested in multicultural
issues. Virtually every character demonstrates susceptibility to bias, reliance on stereotypes. It's
a major tearjerker at times, so be prepared!
Deer Hunter, The
Genre: Drama Year: 1978 Rating: R
Actors: Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep
Topics: PTSD
Academy Award winner for Best Picture and Best Actor. Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken,
Meryl Streep - a top notch cast portraying the impact of serving in the Vietnam War, showing their
lives before, during, and after the conflict. Another look at PTSD. Christopher Walken's character
is one worthy of analysis. Also, consider the traumas they experienced as prisoners of war.
Don't Say a Word
Genre: Drama Year: 2001 Rating: R
Actors: Michael Douglas, Sean Bean, Brittany Murphy
Topics: Treatment, PTSD, Dissociative
The daughter of a psychiatrist is kidnapped and the abductors demand that he break through to a
catatonic girl, who holds the secret to the location of a hidden gem, in order to get his daughter
back. [Suggested by Marcia J. McKinley, Mt. St. Mary's College]
Enduring Love Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2004 Rating: R
Actors: Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans, Samantha Morton
Topics: Psychosis, Anxiety, Family Dysfunction
This film, base on Ian McEwan's novel, has one of the most unique opening scenes. Through a
chance event, a strange man develops the delusional belief (erotomania) that he has a romantic
relationship with a male college professor, who, ironically, lectures on the sociobiology of love.
The professor suffers from acute post traumatic stress disorder, coupled with the anxiety of being
stalked. See my article on the topic for more information.
Fearless Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1993 Rating: R
Actors: Jeff Bridges, Isabella Rosselini, Rosie Perez
Topics: PTSD, Treatment
Very powerful, have plenty of tissues handy (particularly if you are a parent). The film effectively
illustrates how people can have very different reactions to the same traumatic experience, in this
case a plane crash. Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez are great. [Suggested by Laura McGee]
Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte
Genre: Drama Year: 1964 Rating: NR-PG-13
Actors: Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotton
Topics: Psychosis, PTSD
Classic. Bette Davis as a reclusive (insane?) woman, suspected of having killed her beau 40 years
earlier, who now is faced with losing her plantation home due to a highway project. [Suggested
by Ralph Richmond]
Jacknife
Genre: Drama Year: 1989 Rating: R
Actors: Robert DeNiro, Kathy Baker, Ed Harris
Topics: PTSD, Family Dysfunction
According to the submitter: "a little known film starring Robert DeNiro and Ed Harris as Vietnam
veterans struggling with PTSD after the war. Very realistic (as DeNiro typically is)." [Suggested by
Julie Lipovsky, The Citadel, SC]
Jacob's Ladder
Genre: Drama Year: 1990 Rating: R
Actors: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Danny Aiello
Topics: PTSD, Drugs/Alcohol, Trauma
Full of plot twists and turns - combat-related PTSD?
Marnie Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1964 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Tippi Hedron, Sean Connery, Diane Baker
Topics: Impulse Control Disorder, Sexual Disorder, PTSD
There is much to this movie. It exemplifies classic Hitchcock in its photography, use of color,
psychological storyline. The psychiatrist role was deleted, with Sean Connery taking over the
lines. Was this realistic? Was the ending realistic? Can you explain the theivery? What about a
classical conditioning paradigm for the fear of the color red and thunderstorms? How, today,
would Marnie be treated?
Matchstick Men Favorite
Genre: Drama/Comedy Year: 2003 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman
Topics: OCD, Treatment, Personality Disorder
Nicholas Cage as the con man with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Very entertaining film.
Consider the accuracy of portrayal (was it "real" OCD or a conversion disorder, for example).
What about the ethics of the treatment he experienced?
Mommie Dearest
Genre: Drama Year: 1981 Rating: R
Actors: Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Steve Forrest
Topics: Family Dysfunction, OCD, Personality Disorder
Based on the book by the adopted daughter of Joan Crawford, reflecting the movie star's abusive
behavior and mental illness. Diagnosis? OCD+? [Suggested by Molly McHugh, Saint Mary's
College, IN]
'Night Mother
Genre: Drama Year: 1986 Rating: R
Actors: Sissy Spacek, Anne Bancroft
Topics: Depression, Agoraphobia, Drugs/Alcohol
Plenty of family dysfunction here - declaration of suicidal intention by the daughter whose life
consists of a failed marriage, a drug-addicted son, and agoraphobia. Her mother attempts to
convince her that life is worth living. From a Pulitzer Prize winning play.
Sophie's Choice
Genre: Drama Year: 1982 Rating: R
Actors: Meryl Streep, Kevin Klein, Peter MacNicol
Topics: PTSD, Trauma, Schizophrenia
Academy Award winner for Best Actress. Meryl Streep portrays a World War II victim dealing with
traumatic memories and guilt. Kevin Klein as her schizophrenic (?) boyfriend. I would never want
to be faced with the "choice" she had to make… [Suggested by Danielle Langlois, SC]
Sybil
Genre: Drama Year: 1976 Rating: NR-PG
Actors: Sally Field, Joann Woodward, Brad Davis
Topics: Dissociative Identity Disorder, PTSD, Treatment
The movie that started it all - virtually no patients diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder
(aka Dissociative Identity Disorder) before this book/film came out. Consider a PTSD diagnosis in
a patient with a general dissociative disorder (I'd argue for a dissociative personality category).
Dr. Henry Spiegel, who also treated Sybil, has spoken out regarding the iatrogenic (doctor-
induced) components of this case. See http://www.astraeasweb.net/plural/speigel.html for
interview with Speigel about Sybil.
Unstrung Heroes
Genre: Drama Year: 1995 Rating: PG
Actors: Andie MacDowell, John Turturro, Michael Richards
Topics: Family Dysfunction, Personality Disorder, OCD
Andie MacDowell portrays a dying woman with a young son, married to an eccentric inventor. The
two oddball uncles (one's paranoid, one's a hoarder) come through for the boy with some
remarkable insights and wisdom.
Vertigo Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 1958 Rating: PG-13
Actors: Jimmy Stewart
Topics: Anxiety, Depression, Personality
This movie tops many "all time favorites" lists. The story of a police detective, Scottie (also called
Johnny), who suffers a trauma, developing acrophobia and vertigo, causing him to retire from the
force. He is hired by an old college acquaintance to tail his wife, Madeleine, who seems to have
dissociative identity disorder. Scotty falls in love with her, but can't prevent her from committing
suicide. Stop reading here if you don't want the plot spoiled…Scotty is traumatized, becomes
catatonic. Later encounters young woman on the street who looks like Madeleine. Turns out that
she truly was the Madeleine that Scottie had followed, but she was part of the murder plot of the
real Madeleine, however she really did fall in love with Scottie. Over time, they date, he remakes
her into Madeleine (hair color, clothing, etc.). I'll save the rest for you to see. Did you see Scottie
as a sympathetic character? How did you feel about him at the end? Interesting that Madeleine
was portrayed as being dissociative and Scottie seems to show many signs of dissociative
features, as well, including his two first names…hmmm! A film to be watched more than once.
Enjoy!
Woodsman, The Favorite
Genre: Drama Year: 2004 Rating: R
Actors: Kevin Bacon
Topics: Sexual Disorder, Forensic, Family Dysfunction
This film is likely to generate significant discussion - there no doubt will be some who find it
offensive (the producer received a gift-wrapped rat for Christmas during film production), and
others who find it a thought-provoking piece about a taboo topic. The film is likely best
appreciated if watched without a "heads up" - Stop reading if you want to avoid spoilers …. Kevin
Bacon is terrific portraying the torment of a pedophile released after 12 years in prison. He
develops a relationship with a tough woman with her own history. He struggles with his continuing
impulses, wishing to be "normal," as he works with a therapist. From a diagnostic perspective,
consider that he is able to have "normal" sex with his girlfriend, the difference between him and
sexual sadists, such as the one described by the cop in the film, and the role that stress played in
his impulses, parallels with OCD? A thinker's film with many metaphors throughout and unsaid
story components (e.g., we have a sense of how pedophiles are treated in prison). I'm not sure if
this were intentional (perhaps yes, as the same producer made Monsters Ball) - the authority
figures in the film, with the exception of the therapist, were all African-American: boss, secretary,
cop. Is this a social commentary about the relative social positioning of pedophiles in a biased
society, even if white? Looking for a film to analyze for class? This one is loaded with material.