“We all go a little mad sometimes”: the problematic depiction of psychotic and psychopathic disorders in cinema

Consumption of Psychological Horror is Associated With Reduced Stigmatization of Mental Illness

“…A central theme of the horror genre has been mentally ill antagonists. These characters are simplified representations of various disorders to convey distilled messages of their condition, often at the expense of appropriate nuance (Lipczynska, 2015). The myopic portrayal of psychological disorders could further homogenize people with mental illnesses and create negative social categories.…”

“…Homicidal maniacs are a common trope through psychological horror, with a tacit implication of these characters experiencing several mental illnesses (Goodwin, 2013; Lipczynska, 2015). The presentation of these constellations of traits would provide a broad image of mental illness as threatening (Lassetter et al, 2021).…”

Popcorn in the pain clinic: A content analysis of the depiction of patients with chronic pain and their management in motion pictures

“…Medical conditions have also been shown stereotypically, with psychiatric conditions such as psychosis, for instance, being associated with criminality and violence. 26 , 27 Certain characteristics of medical conditions or their treatments may be emphasized and others minimized or they may not be presented realistically. 2 The concern has been that such characterizations may be “processed unintentionally and unconsciously” by the audience and influence their attitudes and perspectives about medicine.…”

“… 28 (p276) In the case of physician portrayals, this has been argued to have the potential to adversely affect the therapeutic relationship between physicians and patients, such as by causing distrust of physicians or even trepidation about seeking care. 4 , 28 , 29 In the case of medical conditions, there are concerns that films will reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate stigma and discrimination, 2 , 26 , 27 as was seen to be the case with public attitudes to electroconvulsive therapy after its depiction in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest . 30 Such concern has been recognized by the film industry, with organizations like the British Academy of Film and Television Arts promoting programs that support greater public understanding of mental health issues.…”

Book review: Disordered personalities and crime: An analysis of the history of moral insanity, Mental illness, human rights and the law, Mental health and the criminal justice system: A social work perspective, Handbook of secure care and Secure lives: The meaning and importance of culture in secure hospital care

“…This has probably been a matter of concern since earliest times – the Lascaux cave paintings are clearly highly emotionally arousing, and Socrates worried about the effects of reading and writing on the mind. The cinema has a curiously intertwined relationship with mental illness (Lypczynska, 2015) – John Hinckley was obsessed with the film Taxi Driver which certainly fed his disorder. It is telling that the section on ‘extreme pornography’ in the British Criminal Justice Act 2009 deals with images and no longer mentions the written word.…”