Tag Archives: world

🌱How Schizophrenia is misrepresented in TV and film — and how we can do better

Over the years or even current mental health has lingered with much stigma. Reality, helping to encourage recovery or treatment should be priority, yet create entertainment is the wrong way. TV has shook the self- imagine and twisted the reality for entertainment purpose. Here you will learn we can do better with misrepresentation of mental health.

Misrepresented by TV

From Yellowjackets to Criminal Minds, the schizophrenic charaQcters we see onscreen are usually supernatural villains, criminals, or inspirational fodder.Courtney Eaton as Lottie in Yellowjackets. (Showtime)

We’ve all seen popular movies and TV shows that have used schizophrenia to drive a story forward. But how often do we stop to consider what those representations actually mean? How do they portray the experience of actually living with schizophrenia, and how do the stereotypes that these representations lean on come back around to harm mad and disabled people?

A 2021 GLAAD report found that disabled characters made up only 2.8 per cent of all series regular characters in the 2021-22 television season in the U.S. That’s roughly 22 characters out of 775 total examined. When looking at that figure, especially considering that 22 per cent of Canadians and 26 per cent of Americans live with visible and invisible disabilities, people with disabilities are shockingly underrepresented onscreen.

What’s even worse is that the few representations of disability and madness that we do see are wrapped up in stereotypes which impact how we view mad and disabled people around us. Schizophrenia is one of the conditions that the general public views most negatively, according to a 2014 study published in the journal Psychiatry Research. The prevalence of stereotypes also creates internalized stigma that impacts the self-image of disabled people. Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie Darko, Jena Malone as Gretchen Ross, and James Duval as Frank in Donnie Darko. (Newmarket Films)

A commonly observed trope in TV and movies represents schizophrenia as criminal and violent. (Think Norman Bates in Psycho, Mr. Cleg in Spider, or any of the dozens of characters from shows like Criminal Minds’ endless carousels of violent depictions of madness and neurodiversity.) Horror, thrillers, and true crime often frame mad people as villains whose motivations are blamed on conditions like schizophrenia, which perpetuates the idea that people who have those conditions are a danger to others. 

Another common representation of schizophrenia makes the condition out to be supernatural or magical, like in the show Yellowjackets or the film Donnie Darko. When schizophrenia is placed in the supernatural or fantasy realms, it diminishes the real-life experience of living with schizophrenia and suggests that it is beyond humanity or our understanding. By aligning schizophrenia with demonic entities and malicious spirits, these supernatural representations similarly perpetuate the idea of schizophrenic people as “other,” which can ostracize them and negatively impact their self-perception.

Not every trope makes people with schizophrenia look like villains, but even the more well-intentioned attempts can be harmful in their own way. Take, for instance, the portrayal of the “supercrip” as seen in A Beautiful Mind, The Soloist, or the show Legion. “Supercrip” is a term used by the disabled community to refer to stories where people “overcome” their disability. Although these depictions are sometimes created to challenge the perceptions of what mad and disabled people can and can’t do, as explained by Stella Young, they “objectify disabled people for the benefit of nondisabled people.”

This trope also suggests madness and disability exist entirely within a person instead of engaging with the oppressive social, legal, and medical conditions that create barriers for mad and disabled people. “Supercrip” stories can act as a defense mechanism for the status quo — because if one mad or disabled person could beat the odds and live happily in our current society, ostensibly, all mad and disabled people should have it within themselves to do the same. Criminal and violent representation in Criminal Minds Joe Adler as Danny Lee Stokes, a schizophrenic serial killer, in Criminal Minds. (CBS)

A 2012 study found that, in 41 movies studied, a majority of schizophrenic characters displayed violent behaviour toward others and themselves, and almost a third of those characters displayed homicidal tendencies. The same study also found that causation is hardly discussed in those films.

Shows like Criminal Minds, which follow a procedural format where a new weekly suspect is pursued by federal officers and caught by the end of the episode, are chock full of exaggerated depictions of schizophrenia. The formulaic approach of Criminal Minds made the show easy to watch, but to keep viewers from getting bored, it had to continue to shock them with more and more gruesome stories. Crimes committed by supposedly schizophrenic people ranged from cannibalism to necrophilia.

Even if the viewer knows to take these stories with a grain of salt, the depiction of these horrific crimes and lack of exploration into a character’s motives — coupled with zero follow-up on their fates after they are caught (or often, killed) — reinforced an “us vs. them” mentality that creates a fearsome idea of schizophrenia. This is bolstered by storylines that continuously ask the viewer to sympathize with the neurotypical, non-disabled police, who are billed as heroes for tracking down and capturing the suspects. 

Mad and disabled people are actually more likely to be victims of violence rather than the perpetrators of it. And in a study in which 46 mad people were interviewed about the stigma they have experienced, people with schizophrenia reported more verbal and physical abuse than any other group in the study.

The show’s less overtly negative representations are few and far in between. Spencer Reid’s mother Diana, one of the rare recurring characters with schizophrenia, is shown to have a loving relationship with her son. But even though the show sympathizes with her, it also makes her out to be one of the “good ones” against a backdrop of countless violent mad characters; ultimately, whatever positive representation Diana provides is completely overshadowed by an overrepresentation of schizophrenic killers.Supernatural representation in Yellowjackets Courtney Eaton as Lottie in Yellowjackets. (Showtime)

Another common stereotype in TV and movies suggests that schizophrenia is the result of some kind of supernatural force. This trope depicts schizophrenia as something that possesses a person and forces them to do things that they have no control over, often harming others in the process.

Showtime’s critically acclaimed 2021 psychological drama Yellowjackets depicts a character named Lottie who experiences hallucinations after running out of her medication for an unnamed condition. While the show was praised for its representation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it slips into problematic territory with the way Lottie transforms from a sweet background character to becoming possessed, experiencing premonitions and visions of death, and calling on the girls around her to hurt one of their own. Since this transformation happens after Lottie runs out of her medication, the implication is that she is this way when untreated, which reduces a complex condition to a clichéd representation. Yet again, a mad character becomes a villain or someone to be feared, and the only explanation for their motivation is their madness. 

With just one season out so far, the show is still well-positioned to turn this representation on its head and provide useful commentary about the way Lottie was medicalized at a young age for her apparently atypical behaviour. But if it continues along the same path, Yellowjackets will become another representation of schizophrenia that dehumanizes mad people and causes the viewer to fear them.”Supercrip” representation in A Beautiful Mind Russell Crowe as John Nash in A Beautiful Mind. (Universal Pictures)

“Supercrip” stories rely on narratives of inspiration and overcoming adversity. One of the most well-known depictions of schizophrenia is A Beautiful Mind, the 2001 film starring Russell Crowe. A Beautiful Mind won four of the eight Academy Awards it was nominated for, including Best Picture

and is based on the life of mathematician John Nash as told through Sylvia Nasar’s unauthorized biography of him. Throughout the film, Nash experiences hallucinations that lead him to be forcibly institutionalized; his condition also inadvertently causes him to put his infant son in danger. But Nash is later able to overcome his hallucinations by sheer willpower and return to his work, eventually going on to win the Nobel Prize. 

Some have noted that schizophrenia is generally well-represented in A Beautiful Mind, and the viewer is certainly meant to sympathize with John Nash instead of seeing him as a violent person or a criminal. Nash’s ability to exercise control over his life and learn to live with schizophrenia, especially with the support of his loved ones, can be an empowering thing for mad people to see on screen. But nevertheless, this type of story paints madness and disabilities as individual “problems” that need to be fixed and overcome in order to live “normally.”How can we represent schizophrenia more thoughtfully? Matthew Gray Gubler as Spencer Reid and Jane Lynch as Diana Reid in Criminal Minds. (CBS)

As with so many movies and TV shows about marginalized people, stories about people with schizophrenia are rarely told with mad people in control of the narrative, and the actors who play them are not part of mad and/or disabled communities. While neurotypical and non-disabled actors take home awards and accolades for their portrayals of madness and disability, real mad and disabled people feel the repercussions of these stereotypical depictions reverberating in their everyday lives. 

Mad and disabled people deserve to see themselves represented wholly, not as punchlines, lazy plot points, or inspirational fodder for the benefit of the able-bodied. Our experiences are all unique and multi-faceted, yet the stories told about us are too often boiled down to stereotypes instead of embracing neurodivergence, madness, and disabilities. 

Increasing or improving representation of schizophrenia in the media will not immediately change societally-rooted ableist attitudes. But empathetic and informed storytelling can help to counteract and correct the misinformation that is shared through TV and movies. With stories about schizophrenia still so deeply entrenched in stereotypes that impact the real-life treatment of mad people and the inequities they face, the need to tell better stories isn’t just critical — it could be life-saving.

Until our minds meet again. Be safe out there with blessings and much love. Remember Everyday Mind’s Matter 💕😇

🛴Footing … Dial-Up ….. Co..nec..ting..

Flintstones

Meet the Flintstone’s, a time in history when life was priceless. I am honored to be a Flintstone.  Dad worked, mom took care of the household.  A rotary phone, shared with everyone in the house..  There was no secrets, ear hustling- no one listened to conversations.  We ran back outside to play if someone was on the phone.  If you made a phone call- either no one was home or the line was busy.  If it were important we went to their house.  Going through those big phone books, searching names that offered endless laughter. Prank calls, the laughter of being a silly kid. No being able to trace the call had it’s purpose- at the moment.  Following the cord or picking up the other phone- an awkward silence at times.

Gas stations and some grocery stores were closed on Sunday’s. A day when families enjoyed drives /rides, visiting friends or family out of town. Families had in person quality time. Sitting in the living room or outside conversation about everything. Listening to older relatives childhood stories, had offered knowledge and laughter. If we wanted to know something, hands on was taught through physical labor. Manual labor had no limit or boundaries. Chores had appreciation, respect, love, and support behind it.

Communication has no barriers. Calling relatives were every week on certain days. Routine and frequently kept for years. Staying in touch was priority for family and friends for connect was important. Sleepover with friends- no problem our parents met in person. Being dropped off and picked up- only source of GPS. Brown bag or a lunchbox with thermos- total excitement for a school field trip. Your lunch ticket- your ability to prove responsibility. Relationships with others in school, were influences to how we interact and communicate. These skills from peers and teacher were priority stepping stones; needed, later in life.

Riding bikes, catching frogs, gardening, barefoot and bee strings

Developmental skills learnt at childhood, are triggers, and reinforces needed to become an adult. Every experience as a child, reflect coping abilities, and knowledge of life. Not everyone has the same knowledge to cope with anger, loss, or pain. Catching frogs, riding bikes, or barefoot getting stung by a bee, are testing abilities of character. Reaction to a bee sting is tolerance and strength. Those little pest can hurt, but mentally can prove one’s tolerance to pain. Balance is technique used to establish coordination to ride a bike. These are just simple task performed and applied to developmental growth. Being Open-Minded is fundamentals applied to learning practices. Education and resources utilized, enhance experiences that offer personal growth and new opportunities.

Flintstones main source for building; manual labor- hands on and experience. Most reasonable creative abilities, were by imagination and mental technique. How to make the best from supplies available. Using your feet sourced transportation. Transportation, in which, had no complaints. Toughness of feet provided movement. No battery, radio, or rear view mirrors were known of.. Yet survival to maintain – those did just fine. As Flintstones life was Yabba- Dabba, dooo… Appreciation and respect was in every home. Conflict was rare, as basic supplies were the essentials to live. As the world began to populate, intelligence developed. From dinosaur speed and peace of mind, happiness, and comfortable. Humans evolved to speed and advancement. We become greedy wanting more.. more of everything, our need grew and grew…. And soon out of the sky!!!

Meet The Jetson’s – WIFI Speed

The little man was bought out, cost of living went up. A world of speed, greed, and the mighty dollar took control. Both parents had to work, and children had sitters. Gardens had no purpose, as demand grew artificial intelligence took charge. Boxed and canned food demand created processing factories. Speed had generated intelligence to control the world. Advanced technology, took the world and shook the little man. The hand made of manual labor lost its shine, when the ole’ mighty dollar came alive.

A separation in class divided the rich and poor. Children picked at or criticized other kids by financial status. A change took over so fast in the late 1990’s rotary phones became cordless, you could now leave messages on an answering machine. A monitor and keyboard – a computer, wow how expensive they were. Advancement of intelligence, at high demand in the world.

A simple life in history, as chaos, filled conflict, stress, and cable television- opened the news. News around the world, A new age, violence, robbery, crime of multiple levels, influence that created problems. Negative news; ripped and stole positive energy of our youth, neighbors, family, and friends. A moment in time, the need for speed influenced, greed. Greed to out do, be better, make more money, and advance with speed a Jetson. Friends fell out, family turned on one another. The daily news seemed to open negative influences into homes. Created challenging motives to empower money and self imagine. We have created a monster that continues to grow. Rapid speed..

And an extremely powerful connection happened. An artificial intelligence. The stepping stones, to modern light, to what we live today. Evil technology speed that controls our lives. Intelligence that destroyed family, friends, jobs, children’s developmental values. Communication is texting, social media vs. talking in person. Discipline is not an option, because knowing your child or friend is interaction. Interaction and productive communication no longer exist. Relationships have went to shit. Children and grandchildren depend on parents & grandparents, now days. Those important connections are broken by technology. No time fot interaction or personal involvement.

Children don’t know the struggles of looking up “capsule” in a dictionary or “mars” in an encyclopedia. We helped each other if we didn’t know or understand something. Parents have used technology as sitters. Truth is technology has raised our children. Friends are online- no longer outside to interact or play… Bullying is the new cyber playground. Instead of helping each other – to hurt someone or belittle is the new trend. Structured families are rare. * If you remember; getting up to change the cable channel, (having to slide the ticker to a channel), on a floor model tv. Most of all; we gathered in the living room to watch a movie, had popcorn, or watch weekly shows together. – continuing these practice- you are parents of 1970’s to 1980’s Flintstone’s. Big Yabba- Dabba Do, well accomplished.**

In history, tools needed in today’s world, no longer exist. Resources offered are fading away. As new advancements awaken, the manual labor is pushed out. The final destination has arrived; Technology.

Time Evolved Chaos Happened “” NO“” Longer Offer Generation Youth

This my friends, new generations have no youth development morals or survival skills. Today the technology advancement– destroyed manual labor and hands on skills and work ethic. Manual labor– the mind advanced artificial intelligence, a human robot. The ability preformed manual labor into a operation through Proof that Everyday Mind’s Matter. Technology has ruined relationships, destroyed morals, and formed addictions….

Bitter truth, we face is the history can not erased or re-written. What we created is artificial intelligence to comfort and addiction. Poisonous entertainment coverage from phone to phone. Education has lost the core of intelligence. An escape and easy way to answers, solution, and divorce. We can’t visit Aunt Sally 2 miles away. But you better believe, face-time and snap chat sent with emojis, your busy will be sent. Excuses to visit in person, we are so busy doing social media shit, that social distancing is history. Social distancing had played into our busy lives, it was a “thing”; hideous barriers set to avoid live connections. Addictions of technology has mental health at a record high level.

Technology has raised our children. Children don’t know the meaning of affection and love. Robbed by technology we don’t even realize… Yes, I say this with heartfelt pain. Our level of acceptance, to love has lesser value. Our closeness to others are at a social stand still.

Take a minute and take this in…. Have you attended any funerals in the past couple years? Has the world lost emotions? Sentimental touch? Empathy or compassion? Tears must be left at the door or of history. Do we not see what our time has created? Are relationship at such social distancing; that, pain has no time or place for tears? Have relationships changed before our eyes, that it’s normal to no longer express emotions? Hell no, we are conditioned with stimulus. And without a deep connection, there are no emotion connection to tears. My friends, take a deep breath. Life is a precious gift. Time can not be place on pause to rewind.. When your final days approach- will your legacy be written in Flintstone’s – Stone Age? Or will your legacy Fly with the Jetsons – lost in speed? Or lastly- will the addiction of technology; form the trace of your legacy? Are you a man who covered social media with endless post on women’s profiles? A man who wanted to experience life to ultimate highs. Blocking emotions and attachments to others, selfish pleasure– to satisfy your desire and needs? Or a women who preyed on dating sites, — aging with time to find a sugar daddy vs. real love? Technology has deleted our connection to empathy, compassion, and our real character. Our needs, desire, and greed has created addiction within our minds.

Our relationships are not built on love. Love has settled to a comfort zone, that we believe is okay — overtime.. Lust and temptations have no boundaries. After all there’s no emotional ties to comfort. Our excuse is we’re busy. We don’t have time. Right, we don’t take time to understand ourselves. Our happenings, our worlds have been rocked by divorce, deceit, lies, broken homes, and overtime– we accept– nothing. We just find a replacement. Our mind and body are off balance. Acting in impulse, no one wants to feel pain. So we condition the pain, — a false emotion to hide behind. To communicate with our partners, in person has faded. Why? In our world today– an ability to perform a live connection– just conflicts creating a barrier. Corrupted our minds to shut off– a secret auto pilot that gets us by. In no time, social distancing has expanded in outside relationships. Tucked in our own shell of excuse or existence. Conditioned to no longer deal with feelings, emotions, or cope with uncomfortable situations. Why not convert to being open-minded? Change your relationship status to live connection and welcome conversation. Bring back history, close temptation; reconnect with Dial-Up. You might find something meaningful; you never experienced. Maybe take a step behind- – create the Flintstones life. Jetsons or technology life has depleted manual labor. But you can still grow a garden, limit texting and open dinner time as a family. Everyone sit at the table no cell phones, talk about your day. Enjoy the interaction to express your character. Its great to be a Flintstones, no stress, no chaos, no distractions. Live connection, that’s says ” I am right, here”! A feeling that you can’t deny– a connection heart to heart.

Until our minds meet again, Be safe out there, much love and blessings.. Remember Everyday Minds Matter! 😘😇

🏕Our Hidden Path

Secret Direction to Purpose

Oh, the world we live in today! Wouldn’t life be much simpler at times, if we had instructions or directions? Be to easy to navigate through our challenges and obstacles. We are late in discovery most time with everyday life, or overlook what we could of had long before. My purpose and hidden path.

Growing up in the county, 80’s and 90’s. – a peace of mind- tranquility, A time in history; outside at night,  echo’s of bullfrog carried through the woods.  Crickets a pain in the ass, lighting bugs, routine catching at nightfall.  Running through mud puddles after a good rain, drinking from the garden hose, and the joy of weeding the garden. Snapping green beans for canning, shucking corn on the cobb, cucumber for pickling, and berries for jam.  Watching dad fix the lawn mower or replacing brakes on the car.

An elderly couple lived on the driveway to my house. Maybe to be a pest or be nosey. Of course, visiting or getting in their way, likely got on their nerves. To me it was nice to check in on them when needed or just to visit to check new projects. Old man Clyde had a wood shed where he spent his time. Shep a boarder collie, like Lassie the TV show. Shep was old but he let us play, but watched as we picked tomotoes from the garden. Every moment was learning tools when Clyde explain his projects he was working on. One day Clyde was tinkering with a push mower-  sparked to gasoline; the whole shed in flames. Playing outside seeing the blaze- running to our uncle, he rushed to help. Old man Clyde so determined to save his burning shed – he suffered burns. Not wanting to go for treatment, conveinced he had too. Ambulance eventually took old man Clyde to hospital. Later told he had 1st degree burns trying to extinguish the blaze. Once Clyde got released to come home. Not hesitating to help his recovery; change bandages on his legs or check the mail. Or carrying in groceries was always worth a pack of gum and .50 cent or $1.00. He recovered over time. His wife was always glad to see me, she knew it took chores off her. Evaline was a fragile as her body was slow moving at times. I help with hanging curtains up and house hold things if needed. While at school, Evaline tried to change curtians, slipped from the stool broke her hip.

Caregiver become priority each day, after school. Positioning pillows, laundry, or help with other household chores, I was there. Just as her strength improved, she started using a walker, happiness covered my face.  Her recovery gave me joy since it took a lot of work.  Friendship had a special place deep in the heart.  One afternoon after school; knocking on the door- no answer. The car was gone but she was always home. Something was different. Mom was outside as I walked down the driveway. Starting to cry, mom hugged me saying she will write or call. She went to live with her daughter in Indiana.  Unable to say good-bye, heart broke, thinking my best friend didn’t say good-bye.  My days walking past the trailer, wondering if she thought of me. That day carried a weight–; good-bye’s hold much love– bring tears to my eyes.  Reunited visits of family or friends capture the heartfelt love of joy. And we all know the final days of life good-bye’s, can’t be prepared for. Endless tears….

As a young girl, everything inside was torn apart. Weak feeling, crying, and angry, wanting to be alone. What had happened? Kids aren’t suppose to be sad.  Every part of me, experienced hurt. Waiting for a letter or phone call from my friend. Mom and I had tried a few times, to contact her. The phone number she left– no answer.  Not a single letter in the mail.

To ease the pain, I wrote my friend many letters.  With no response, writing in a journal gave my heart relief. Over time, thinking about her many days. In my world, I knew she lost my address and number, to me she lived forever somewhere.

A plan was created written in crayon, marker, sealed with stickers and pink nail polish. Written by a brown eyed, brown haired 7-year-old- just in case she forgot about me.

  Everyday Minds Matter – mental health and well-being set the path for everyone. Establish practice to focus, retention, and concentration; healthy habits to prevent obstacles in mental status.  Overcome mental health challenges faced that affect daily routine. 

Writing that filled notebooks, diaries, and scrap paper- focused on my future dream.

In little time, old man Clyde move away. It was diffetent for a moment. Then one day, my mamaw- (fathers’ mom) move in the trailer.  The void was filled. Not skipping a beat; my brother and I had mamaw to aggravate.  With no time to waste, enjoying my childhood– documented every step of the way. Seems that the conversations grew on me. It was interesting to listen to my mamaws childhood. In my eyes it was more than interesting. A world where play was all work. In the early 1900’s not many toys were made. Everything from learning and entertainment was outdoors. Friends weren’t always close so most were visiting relatives.

A path to being a caregiver seemed to start young. Looking back I seemed to fall into the right path. Life takes us places and sometimes times passes- that all makes sense. Did you think back to your hidden path? How accurate did your role as a child play to your work or career choice?

Until our minds meet again.. Be safe out there and remember Everyday Minds Matter