Introduction
This paper will focus on Silver Linings Playbook, emphasizing the main male character, Pat Solitano. The story begins with Pat’s release from a mental care facility, and his bipolar disorder causes problems for his family. Since the film is a romantic drama, he meets Tiffany, who has a borderline personality disorder. They interact and engage in casual sex without trying to get emotionally attached. Eventually, they realize they love each other and begin a proper relationship.
Psychological Analysis of the Protagonist
Distress
When it comes to deviance, distress, and dysfunction, they are primarily manifested in hypomanic and manic episodes experienced by Pat. At the beginning of the movie, Pat engages in a nightly reading activity with a degree of hyperactivity and energy. While his parents were trying to get some sleep, he stayed all night reading, after which he erratically broke the window by throwing the book (Russell, 2012). He enters his parents’ room loudly and interrupts their sleep, showing no empathy or understanding for their tiredness. It is a clear indicator of the distress that Pat causes to his parents.
Deviance
For deviance, it should be noted that Pat avoids engaging in such activities throughout the main storyline, but a flashback reveals that he committed a deviant act. For example, after he caught his ex-wife cheating on him with another man, he brutally and violently beat him (Russell, 2012). This clearly indicates that Pat can be deviant and aggressive under certain conditions.
Dysfunction
In the case of dysfunction, the film shows that Pat is essentially unemployable. His manic episodes make him incapable of reliably holding on to a job, which is why he is unemployed throughout the film. For instance, his dysfunctionality is best exemplified by his past colleague’s reaction when he sees Pat approaching him, which makes him terrified, cautious, and scared of the main character (Russell, 2012). It showcases that his colleagues most likely saw Pat’s abnormal behavior during his latest employment.
Diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder
On the basis of the presented examples, it is safe to state that the disorder depicted in the film is bipolar I disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s (2013) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), bipolar I has no depressive episodes but rather manic and hypomanic ones. The key symptoms are talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, inflated self-esteem, abnormal behavior, obsession, irritability, and risky behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Pat Solitano is mostly manic or hypomanic throughout the film, indicative of bipolar I. He was not severely restrained or hospitalized because he was taking his medications.
Based on my reading and knowledge of the disorder, the film accurately depicts bipolar I disorder in accordance with its symptoms and diagnostic criteria. Bradley Cooper’s performance and acting are highly convincing, which is critical in promoting global awareness about the condition. The main character is not showcased as a crazy or insane individual because the film treats him as a complex and multifaceted character, making him relatable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the review and analysis of Silver Linings Playbook main character, Pat, shows that the film accurately depicts an individual suffering from bipolar I disorder. Throughout the film, he is advised to take his medications, but whenever he fails to do so, the key symptoms are demonstrated. It should be noted that authoritative sources, such as DSM-5, support the observations made in the given assessment.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [PDF document]. Web.
Russell, D. O. (2012). Silver Linings Playbook [Film]. The Weinstein Company.