Recognizing Cognitive Distortions in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Using Popular Media

Abstract

Movies and television frequently depict psychological themes that provide excellent material for psychiatric pedagogy [1]. In this paper, we explore how depictions of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in The Missing, Encanto, The Sopranos, Good Will Hunting, and Ordinary People can be used to help trainees recognize cognitive distortions in PTSD. We discuss how these screen depictions support teaching the psychological model of PTSD employed by cognitive processing therapy (CPT), an evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatment of the disorder.