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Disturbia: A Beautiful Mind

John Forbes Nash Jr.

John Forbes Nash Jr. (June 13, 1928 – May 23, 2015) was an American mathematician who made fundamental contributions to game theory, differential geometry, and the study of partial differential equations.  Nash’s work has provided insight into the factors that govern chance and decision-making inside complex systems found in everyday life.​His theories are widely used in economics.  

Serving as a Senior Research Mathematician at Princeton University during the later part of his life, he shared the 1994 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences with game theorists Reinhard Selten and John Harsanyi.  In 2015, he also shared the Abel Prize with Louis Nirenbergfor his work on nonlinear partial differential equations.

John Nash is the only person to be awarded both the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and the Abel Prize.​Mr. Nash was appointed a C.L.E. Moore instructor at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in 1951.

While at MIT, he solved a classical unsolved problem relating to differential geometry.
 He taught classes, and met and married MIT physics major Alicia Larde (S.B. 1955). And it was during his tenure at MIT that he began to be consumed by the disease that he would later almost miraculously overcome.

In 1959, Nash began showing clear signs of mental illness, and spent several years at psychiatric hospitals being treated for paranoid schizophrenia. After 1970, his condition slowly improved, allowing him to return to academic work by the mid-1980s. ​His struggles with his illness and his recovery became the basis for Sylvia Nasar’s biography, A Beautiful Mind, as well as a film of the same name starring Russell Crowe as Nash.

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A Beautiful Mind: Film Review Watching the film A Beautiful Mind can be incredibly valuable for students in PSY 350 (Abnormal Psychology), as it provides a compelling portrayal of schizophrenia and the real-world challenges associated with the disorder. According to Rotton Tomatoes, the 2001 film, produced by Ron Howard, is a masterful biographical drama that brings to life the extraordinary yet turbulent journey of John Nash, the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician. Based on Sylvia Nasar’s biography, the film chronicles Nash’s genius, his groundbreaking work in game theory, and his harrowing struggle with schizophrenia. In the movie, Russell Crowe delivers a deeply immersive performance as Nash, portraying both his intellectual brilliance and the heartbreaking effects of his mental illness. His portrayal effectively illustrates the complex qualities and characteristics of John Nash. Capturing Nash’s confidence, social awkwardness, and internal battles in a way that feels authentic and humanizing. Jennifer Connelly, as Nash’s devoted wife Alicia, is equally compelling in her performance. She embodies resilience, love, and the emotional toll of supporting a loved one through psychosis. What makes A Beautiful Mind particularly striking is how it visually and narratively immerses the audience in Nash’s delusions. Rather than merely depicting schizophrenia through external symptoms, the film makes the viewer experience Nash’s world as he perceives it, twisting reality in a way that’s subtle yet jarring. This approach invites empathy, emphasizing the challenges of distinguishing hallucination from reality. The film doesn’t shy away from the hardships of mental illness. It presents Nash’s journey with sensitivity, showing his reluctant acceptance of treatment and the struggles of balancing genius with personal suffering. While it takes creative liberties, including dramatizing aspects of Nash’s hallucinations, the core emotional narrative remains powerful. (A Beautiful Mind. Rotten Tomatoes, n.d.) A Beautiful Mind is an emotionally gripping film that balances intellect with heart. Whether viewed as a biography or used as a study of mental illness, it remains a compelling story of human perseverance. 1. How does the course content relate to the film? I believe A Beautiful Mind provides a compelling case study of schizophrenia, touching on several psychological principles discussed in class. The film shows cognitive distortions which we discussed in chapter five, delusional thinking in chapter seven, and the struggles of managing psychosis which we found in chapter one. These various symptoms are also aligned with the discussions on schizophrenia’s diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. Nash experiences paranoid delusions, believing he is working on a secret government mission, and visual hallucinations, which are less common in schizophrenia but served a dramatic purpose in the film. (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). The film also touches on biological and environmental factors influencing mental illness, which I believe reinforces the biopsychosocial approach taught in our course. Chapter thirteen states that schizophrenia is shaped not only by neurobiology but also by environmental stressors and cognitive distortions. Nash’s genetic predisposition, cognitive distortions, and environmental stressors all contribute to his condition, reinforcing the biopsychosocial framework found in our class textbook. (Oltmanns, T. F., & Emery, R. E. (2015). 2. What THREE facts in the film did you find interesting or important, relating to the respective chapters, and why? •Fact 1: Schizophrenia’s Hallucinatory Component When watching A Beautiful Mind, I found myself deeply immersed in John Nash’s experience with schizophrenia. Rather than simply observing his symptoms from the outside, the film pulled me into his world, making me question what was real and what was imagined, just as he did. This portrayal made me reflect on how hallucinations and delusions shape reality for individuals with schizophrenia. In class, we’ve discussed these positive symptoms and seeing them play out visually helped reinforce how deeply they can impact a person’s perception (Oltmanns, T. F., & Emery, R. E. (2015). •Fact 2: Treatment Approach Another aspect that really stood out to me was Nash’s struggle with medication. His journey highlights the challenges of antipsychotic medication. According to research, antipsychotics can be helpful in managing symptoms but also come with significant drawbacks. (Correll et al., 2021). The film does a great job of showing how Nash battles the effects of his medication. He struggles with cognitive dulling, emotional blunting, and even difficulty functioning in day-to-day life. It made me think about our class discussions on the side effects of pharmacological treatments and their impact on cognitive function. It was heartbreaking to see how Nash had to weigh the pros and cons of treatment, something many individuals with schizophrenia face in real life. The movie also suggests that Nash manages his symptoms through cognitive strategies rather than solely relying on medication. This connects to our discussions on psychosocial interventions, which emphasize therapy, coping mechanisms, and social support in schizophrenia treatment. •Fact 3: Social Support What truly moved me, though, was Alicia’s unwavering support. Her resilience, patience, and determination reminded me of just how critical family and social networks are in managing mental health conditions. Studies show that strong support systems improve treatment outcomes, and Alicia’s role in Nash’s life beautifully illustrated this (McCutcheon et al., 2022). Watching their relationship unfold made me appreciate the power of human connection in mental health treatment. 3. What were your reactions to the film? (Was there something interesting, unclear, amusing, sad, etcetera?). What emotions were stirred? Watching A Beautiful Mind was an emotional experience that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. Seeing Nash caught in the grip of hallucinations and paranoia was genuinely unsettling. It made me feel the type of chaos and fear that someone with schizophrenia might face on a daily basis. But at the same time, it opened my heart with empathy. It reminded me that behind every diagnosis is a real person struggling to make sense of a world that doesn’t always feel safe or clear. What touched me just as deeply was Alicia’s unwavering commitment to Nash. Her quiet strength, especially during his darkest moments, highlighted how mental illness doesn’t only affect the individual, t ripples through families, testing love, patience, and resilience. There were moments when I just felt this ache for her, watching her remain steady in the face of so much unpredictability. The most powerful scene for me was when Nash begins to understand what’s real and what’s not real and when he chooses to acknowledge the hallucinations without letting them control him. That moment didn’t just feel like a victory over illness; it felt like a celebration of resilience and hope. It really showed how healing isn’t always about erasing pain but it’s often about learning to live with it in new, courageous ways. 4. Is there something left unanswered that you would like to know? Why? Was there something that you learnt about the disorder that was not portrayed in the film? Explain, giving references. I felt the movie didn’t portray the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, like social withdrawal, affective flattening, or cognitive decline. Many individuals with schizophrenia experience these symptoms, which can be equally debilitating. Additionally, I also believed that the film glossed over Nash’s journey by omitting the full extent of his relapses and lifelong struggle. Research indicates that schizophrenia typically requires ongoing treatment, yet the film suggests Nash simply “learned to ignore his delusions” (Kirkpatrick et al., 2020). 5. Did this film change/strengthen any notions/beliefs you had before seeing it? These reviews should also be discussed as they relate to the topics covered in class Watching A Beautiful Mind completely reshaped how I think about schizophrenia. Before, I understood the disorder in a more clinical way as a set of symptoms listed in my textbook or in the DSM-5. But seeing Nash’s journey unfold brought a deeper, more personal understanding. It showed me that schizophrenia isn’t just about hallucinations or delusions. It’s an ongoing challenge that affects everything about how a person thinks, how they relate to others, even how they see themselves. What struck me the most was how the film emphasized resilience over cure. Instead of portraying recovery as simply “getting rid” of symptoms, it highlighted how people learn to adapt and to manage their illness in a way that allows them to reclaim their lives. This completely reinforced what we’ve discussed in class about schizophrenia not being a linear recovery process, but a lifelong journey. It also made me think about how support systems like family, friends, or medical professionals also play an essential role in helping individuals navigate mental illness. Nash’s story reminded me that strength isn’t just about overcoming obstacles, but it’s also about finding ways to live meaningfully despite them. In conclusion, I believe the movie A Beautiful Mind serves as both an educational and emotionally impactful film. It effectively bridges both textbook knowledge with real-world experiences. Its portrayal of schizophrenia not only enhances understanding of the disorder but also fosters empathy by highlighting its profound effects on individuals and their families. For aspiring clinicians, educators, and researchers, I am sure this perspective is invaluable, as it deepens their appreciation of the lived experiences of those navigating mental illness and reinforces the importance of compassionate and informed care. References •A Beautiful Mind. Rotten Tomatoes. (n.d.). Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beautiful_mind •American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). APA Publishing. •Correll, C. U., Rubio, J. M., & Kane, J. M. (2021). What is the risk-benefit ratio of antipsychotics for schizophrenia? Psychological Medicine, 51(4), 637–647. •Kirkpatrick, B., Mucci, A., & Galderisi, S. (2020). Negative symptoms in schizophrenia: A new perspective. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 46(3), 546–554. •McCutcheon, R. A., Marques, T. R., & Howes, O. D. (2022). Schizophrenia—disease mechanisms and clinical implications. The Lancet Psychiatry, 9(2), 82–97. •Oltmanns, T. F., & Emery, R. E. (2015). Abnormal Psychology (8th ed., Global ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

Paranoid Schizophrenia

 

Paranoid schizophrenia manifests itself in an array of symptoms. Common symptoms for paranoid schizophrenia include auditory hallucinations (hearing voices or sound effects) and paranoid delusions (believing everyone is out to cause the sufferer harm).

What are the symptoms of a paranoid schizophrenic? Symptoms can include:

  • hallucinations and delusions.

  • disorganized thinking.

  • lack of motivation.

  • slow movement.

  • changes in sleep patterns.

  • lack of attention to hygiene.

  • changes in body language and emotions.

  • lack of interest in social activities.

Disturbia

 

 

People are fascinated by people-especially when they are acting in a way that does not seem to make sense.

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Unpredictability in a fellow human is as unsettling as unpredictability in the weather, especially during hurricane season, lol, and almost as dangerous.

Our ancestors lived in what could be perceived as a “small world” but now with the ‘world wide web’ the world had become very small.

In ancient civilizations, there were the spiritual leaders of the group whose job it was to diagnose and interpret the illnesses within the tribe.

They would then prescribe the appropriate antidote intended to ward off the problem so that the sufferer and the whole tribe could return to normal everyday life.

However, as the great civilizations emerged from places like Egypt, India, China, Greece and Mexico, the following two new professions were created.

The Physician group was responsible for physical health while the Priesthood was responsible for spiritual health.

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A physician’s power comes from their ability to classify symptoms into meaningful categories. A doctor’s knowledge conveys a comforting sense of order, predictability and control.​ This along with time, a good bedside manner and the prescribe medications usually works for most patients.

During my ongoing research, I learnt that our personalities are a pattern of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.​ Outwardly we display our unique personalities in the special way we think, love, feel, make decisions, and take action.

If you think about it as I have- the extraordinary range of human personality is what lends special color to our lives and is the woven fabric of tragedies, comedies and melodramas.

The systematic study of personalities had its origins very early in the history of medicine and philosophy.

However, I don’t want to focus so much on that as I would like to highlight a few Personality Disorders.

Personality Disorders

 

According to Allen Frances, M.D. and Michael B. First, M.D. research on mental health, you have a Personality Disorder if:

  • You have and enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that puts you at odds with the expectations of the world around you.

This shows itself in the following ways:

1. How you perceive and understand yourself and others

2. How you respond emotionally

3. How you interact with people

4. How you control your impulses · You are unbending and inflexible and cannot adjust your behavior to the needs of a particular situation, activity, or relationship.

  • Your personality problem started early in life (by adolescence or early adulthood) and has persisted in a pretty stable way over time.

  • Your personality is upsetting to you or limits your success at school, at work, or in relationships

  • The behavior is long-standing and is not caused by another chronic or recurrent psychiatric disorder, by a medical condition, or by substance use.

Having a personality disorder means you are not the kind of person who can adapt smoothly to the normal give and take of everyday life.​ Instead you expect the world and people to change for you rather than being able to adjust to the requirements of different situations and relationships.​ However, there is a silver lining in this otherwise stormy cloud.​ I’ve learnt that some of the personality disorders’ characteristics can be adaptive and even necessary if they occur at the right time in the right place, and in the right measure.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

 

A person with Antisocial Personality Disorder is known for their ruthlessness and aggression, however that same tendency, if well-modulated may be your saving grace if that person is your trial lawyer, politician, corporate raider or combat hero.

Things that make you go Hhmmmm.

On these rare occasions when a personality disorder is combined with enormous talent and perhaps great luck, a world historical figure or a modern day tragic hero may emerge- but more often, these disorders create unfulfilled hopes and stormy relationships.

Dissociative Identity Disorder or Multiple Personality Disorder

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The idea that people can have very distinct, independent and rapidly alternating personalities has captured the imagination of the general public and have been exploited on TV talk shows, written in books and have had all types of movies created.

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Most of those suffering from true dissociative identity disorder have been exposed in childhood to extremely traumatic events like chronic physical or sexual abuse, torture, or severe neglect.

Each personality fragment (usually referred to as an “alter”) develops its own characteristics and its own memories.

Often the person is not consciously aware of shifting from one personality fragment to the other and the evidence of multiple personality comes only when someone actually sees the change occur or from frequent gaps in memory that result from different personality fragments being active at different times.

The label “multiple personality disorder” is very stigmatizing and people labeled as such often feel less responsible for and in control of their behavior.

A Factitious Disorder

 

A Factitious disorder is the term used to describe when a person fakes their symptoms, or an illness in an attempt to maintain the role of a sick person.

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People with these disorders may go through extraordinary lengths and elaborate means to falsify and fabricate medical histories, intentionally produce physical symptoms or bruises for illustrations or even take excessive amounts of medication which is suppose to be for the perceived illness.

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Interestingly enough, Munchausen’s disorder is a classic example of a factitious disorder and was first describe in 1951.

According to studies done, the individual would intentionally produce physical symptoms or signs of a disorder but the disorder may also include self-inflicted wounds and the exaggeration of already existing conditions.

Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy

 

There is also Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy, and this is defined as the fabrication of an illness in a child by a parent (most often the mother).

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Studies also believe that approximately 20% of the patients with Munchausen’s by proxy themselves, also had mothers who were diagnosed as having Munchausen’s syndrome.

However, knowledge is still power and we must be vigilant of people who blame their criminal or irresponsible behavior as the product of a mental disorder or victim-hood.

Unfortunately, the exploitation of these illnesses makes it very problematic for people and their loved ones who are actually suffering.

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