Psychiatrist Debunks Schizophrenia Myths in Movies as Violent Disorder!

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For years, cinema has gotten it wrong. And so have we. Schizophrenia isn’t what you see in Fight Club, Split, Black Swan, or Shutter Island. During Mental Health Awareness Week, we asked Jean-Victor Blanc, a psychiatrist and mental health expert for Dr Good and Culture Pop & Psy, to shed light on this often misrepresented condition. Here’s what he had to say.

AlloCiné: How would you define schizophrenia?

Jean-Victor Blanc: Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder affecting about 1 to 2% of the population, similar in prevalence to bipolar disorder. It’s a condition with various types of symptoms that generally reflect a loss of psychic integrity. This means emotions that are inconsistent with thoughts or behaviors, which manifest through several types of symptoms.

What are the different types of symptoms?

There are what we call positive symptoms, including hallucinations and delusional ideas, often with a persecutory nature, meaning the individual may feel targeted or harmed by others.

Then, there are negative symptoms which signify a withdrawal from emotional and social life, and difficulties in interacting with others.

Lastly, there are disorganized or dissociative symptoms, which highlight the disconnect between emotions and thoughts. For example, laughing while thinking about something sad, or displaying behavior that’s inappropriate for the context.

Where does fiction get it wrong with depictions of schizophrenia?

Often, on screen, schizophrenia is portrayed as a violent disorder, depicting individuals as dangerous. For instance, a character might stop their medication abruptly and turn into a homicidal maniac, as seen in Joker. This is, of course, not true.

We know that individuals with schizophrenia are more often victims of violence rather than perpetrators of crimes and violence. Less than 5% of crimes are committed by those with a schizophrenic disorder.

What films rarely show is what we call recovery. That is, it’s possible to live with schizophrenia, manage it well, and lead a social life, work, sometimes in a protected environment, but often in ordinary settings.

Is schizophrenia also confused with split personality?

Yes, schizophrenia is often mistaken for dissociative identity disorder. The idea of having multiple personalities, as humorously depicted in Me, Myself & Irene, is unfortunately inaccurate and completely misrepresents schizophrenia.

What advice would you give to our readers?

My advice, when you watch a film or series about schizophrenia, is to research whether it accurately portrays the disorder. We know that viewing stigmatizing films can reinforce the stigma around mental disorders, including schizophrenia.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to discuss them first with your general practitioner, who can refer you to a psychiatrist if needed to determine if you require specific help. Additionally, there are organizations like schizo yes, Positive Minders, and UNAFAM, dedicated to helping individuals and their families cope better with this condition.