Schizophrenia In The Film: A Beautiful Mind

In the reality-based film A Beautiful Mind, the life of a genius mathematician by the name of John Nash who is faced with life changing difficulties is followed. The skilled Princeton student finds himself faced with the disaster of a Schizophrenic breakdown. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects about 1.5 million people worldwide today. The movie itself is a great display of what some people who have the illness go through, and how difficult it is to overcome.

Schizophrenia is characterized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and other symptoms that cause social or occupational dysfunction. For a diagnosis, symptoms must have been present for six

It is clear from his first few interactions with people that he is somewhat socially awkward, and other students seem to pick up on his oddities very quickly. In fact, the first indication towards schizophrenia comes in the form of disorganized speech, one of the DSM-5’s criteria for diagnosis. As people attempt to converse with Nash, his responses are very stuttered, and low in volume, as he mumbles quite a bit. Disorganized speech, however, is a very mild symptom compared to the others he faces. Nash finds himself alone in his suite setting things up, when suddenly barreling in comes his roommate; an engaging, noisy character. His roommate introduces himself, and the two soon get to know each other over a flask of liquor. There is just one thing, however; his roommate doesn't exist. Not only do John’s hallucinations produce a fictional roommate, but also a fictional secret federal agent. His hallucinations as described in the DSM-5 begin to control his life, causing him both social and occupational dysfunction. It is only after a major meltdown at his home that he begins his journey to