What's Eating Gilbert Grape Psychological Analysis

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Mental disorders are a common condition that many people and families have to live with and go through in their lifetime. The disorders are more common than one may think, and in fact they are all around us we just may not know. In the 1993 film “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”, the movie stars Johnny Depp who takes the role of a small-town man, Gilbert Grape, who takes care of his fatherless family of five. The movie shows many characteristics of autism, depression, and eating disorders. It shows examples of the life that those effected with the disorders have to live with every day. In the film “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”, Arnie Grape, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is practically raised and watched by older brother Gilbert. Gilbert takes …show more content…

Depression causes many mental effects and in most cases, if not treated or helped, can result in suicide. In What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, the character, Bonnie, who struggles with depression and obesity, died of natural causes in her sleep. Anxiety and social isolation are common results from depression as well. For autism spectrum disorder, there is not cure for the condition. Teaching the child from an early age can help the case and make them a better learner for their future in education. While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, therapy sessions are the best help. In the case for depression and eating disorders, therapy is a great help as well. I chose this film because of the way it shows the lives of multiple characters who are suffering with a disorder. It shows emotions, hardships, and difficulty with taking care of another individual. My final thoughts on the movie are that while it is an older film, it still shows many excerpts on mental disorders. Every member of the Grape family had to deal with their mother and brother in their daily lives. The disorders are not diseases, but they are conditions. Conditions that develop from birth, childhood, or from an emotional period in their life. Therapy is the best form of help that a person with depression, an eating disorder, or autism can

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