Is the Mental Disorder Appropriately Portrayed?
The targeted movie for this exercise is “Requiem for a Dream”. The film is directed by Darren Aronofsky. This movie narrates the story of Sara Goldfarb and the people around her life. The health issue outlined in this film is addiction. According to the film, addiction affects the lives of different people such as Sara, Tyrone, Marion, and Harry (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010).
The movie begins by narrating the story of Sara Goldfarb. This character loves watching a show named “informercials”. The show is hosted by a famous celebrity called Tabby Tibbons. After getting a call inviting her to participate in a game show, Sara starts a new journey in order to regain her youthful appearance. Sara’s is advised by her doctor to take amphetamine pills to reduce weight (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010). She takes more pills after her invitation is prolonged. This behavior results in a condition called amphetamine psychosis (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010).
The film plays a critical role towards describing how addiction is portrayed in the contemporary society. The film portrays different forms of addiction from the right perspective. For instance, the story of Sara describes how people can be easily addicted by televisions. Individuals who are addicted to the TV might be categorized as sick people. This film shows conclusively that TV addiction is a mental condition that should be taken seriously in every society. The film goes further to show how drug addiction is a serious mental problem in the society. This is true because Marion and Harry are forced to do the impossible in order to get heroin (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010). This portrayal shows clearly that addictions can affect and transform the lives of more people in the society. Depression is another mental condition catalyzed by loneliness and lack of financial resources. Tyrone is portrayed as an individual who is adversely affected by PTSD. That being the case, the characters are addicted to heroin and prescription drugs. The film also shows clearly that Sara is a victim of TV addiction. The film also indicates clearly that addiction is a serious mental issue associated with different psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and psychosis.
The symptoms portrayed in the film are in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Some conditions such as PTSD are good examples of psychological health problems. Substance-related disorder is presented throughout the film. This is the case because the DSM-5 framework includes dependence and use of drugs such as opium, heroin, or alcohol (Halter, 2013). The fifth chapter of the DSM-5 model shows conclusively that addiction to different substances and situations should be classified as mental disorders.
Harry and his partner are addicted by heroin. Tyrone, who is Harry’s friend, is also addicted to the drug. Harry engages in criminal acts in order to purchase heroin. The individuals eventually join an illegal drug trade (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010). After a short time, Tyrone is arrested for engaging in an illegal trade. Marion is willing to engage in sex in order to get heroin.
Portrayal of the Condition and Societal Perception
The targeted film goes further to present something that should be taken seriously by every society. To begin with, the movie shows conclusively that different forms of addiction continue to affect many people across the globe. The stories of characters such as Sara, Marion, and Harry reflect the lives of many people across the globe. The movie gives a detailed analysis of the characters’ lives as they struggle with the problem of addiction (Halter, 2013). However, the society depicted in this film does more harm to the experiences of these individuals. This kind of portrayal therefore reflects the issues experienced in many communities.
Sara’s condition worsens since she becomes hallucinated. She goes to Manhattan to confirm the date of her show with Tibbons. After arriving at the casting agency, Sara is admitted in a psychiatric ward. She receives degrading treatments but they fail to work. The doctor goes further to recommend the use of electroconvulsive therapy (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010). During the same period, Harry’s arm is infected because of continued drug abuse. This issue explains why Tyrone and Harry are eventually arrested. While in New York, Marion engages in sexual activities in order to acquire drugs.
The society in this movie ignores the experiences and challenges affecting the characters. For example, Harry’s arm is amputated ruthlessly without considering his medical needs. Harry is also imprisoned at a time when he needs adequate medical support (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010). A similar malpractice is observed when Tyrone is imprisoned. As an inmate, the character faces discrimination and stigma.
It is also notable that Marion’s therapist is extremely unethical. This issue shows clearly that more victims of addictions find it hard to trust the providers of mental health care in the society. With the existing level of stigma, the patients are forced to take more drugs in order to address the issue of discrimination (Scott, 2012). Sara’s doctor prescribes medications for weight loss instead of providing the best support.
Sara and Marion are isolated towards the end of the film. These individuals appear to go back to their original problems or positions (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010). This is the case because they are unable to overcome the pains and sufferings that characterize their respective lives. Basically, every viewer observes clearly that the sufferings encountered by the characters are undeniable. Consequently, the long-term effects of addiction are evident in the film. The characters encounter numerous challenges such as anxiety, psychosis, and paranoia. Sara exhibits the major symptoms associated with addiction.
With this kind of portrayal, the audience and members of the society might be encouraged to avoid patients who abuse specific drugs. Abuse is associated with both medicinal and addictive drugs such as heroin. Unfortunately, the society (including different professionals) fails to support the needs of these patients. The malpractice makes it impossible for the characters to realize their health goals. Towards the end of the film, the viewer observes clearly that the psychological needs of the individuals are never addressed (Appelbaum, 2014). They remain hopeless and incapable of pursuing their future goals. This portrayal is a reflection of the experiences of many addicts in different societies.
High Priority Nursing Diagnoses
Nurses possess a wide range of skills that make it easier for them to address the health problems affecting their patients. Individuals suffering from addiction can benefit from various nursing diagnosis techniques. Such high priority techniques have the potential to identify the targeted health problems and deliver the best goals (Norko & Fitch, 2014). If implemented appropriately, the nursing diagnosis techniques presented below can address the problems associated with addiction.
Powerlessness
This method of diagnosis is used by nurses to support patients suffering from addiction. The characters in the film appear to be helpless and hopeless. This approach can support the needs of Harry, Marion, and Tyrone. The major evidences to consider will include continuous intake of addictive drugs, alteration in personal lifestyles, and helplessness in an attempt to obtain the drugs (Appelbaum, 2014).
Harry’s arm is eventually amputated. It is also notable that Sara continues to receive the inappropriate therapy (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010). While in prison, Tyrone thinks deeply about his mother. Towards the end of the movie, Marion is seen to have a bag of heroin in her hands. Sara also has a dream whereby she wins the biggest prize in a show hosted by Tibbons (Watson & Aronofsky, 2010).
After identifying such evidences, the nurses should “encourage the patients to surrender to powerlessness over addiction” (Scott, 2012, p. 39). The affected patients should be allowed to participate in peer support (Halter, 2013). A powerful program can be implemented to promote active participation. Medications can be provided in order to produce positive results. The ultimate goal is to ensure the patients re-pattern their lifestyles and avoid drugs.
Deficient Knowledge
This nursing diagnosis is mainly used when there is lack of information. This high priority technique can support the needs of Sara. The continued intake of prescribed drugs and lack of purpose in life are psychological problems affecting the character. The major evidence is the continued use of drugs that have adverse consequences (Scott, 2012). There are also misconceptions regarding the issue of weight loss.
The desired outcomes include re-patterning the knowledge of the patient. The patient should be empowered to embrace a new lifestyle that is not characterized by drugs (Scott, 2012). A proper treatment program should also be used to support the patient. Multidisciplinary teams can be used to deliver long-term patient support.
Appropriate Nursing Interventions for Addiction
This film shows clearly that addiction is a serious mental health condition that affects the lives of many people. Patients affected by this mental illness should receive the best support and intervention. The best interventions should be procedural in order to produce positive results. The first approach is analyzing the unique health needs of the targeted patients. The approach will identify the issues affecting the targeted patients. The patients should then be guided to embrace healthy behaviors. A powerful model should be used to inform the patients about the dangers of various drugs (Halter, 2013). A powerful campaign should also be used to educate the addicts about the side-effects of specific drugs. The next move is to outline how medicinal drugs can be used adequately to minimize dependence.
The nurses should provide the right support and resources to the patients. A multidisciplinary team can be used to provide long-term care to every patient. Positive health practices, exercises, healthy diets, and personal goals should be outlined by the members of the team. Support groups can also be formed to encourage more addicts to stop taking the drugs affecting their lives (Halter, 2013). Specific medicinal drugs should be used to treat the symptoms associated with addiction such as depression.
References
Appelbaum, P. (2014). Commentary: DSM-5 and forensic psychiatry. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 42(1), 136-140.
Halter, M. (2013). Varcarolis’ foundations of psychiatric mental health nursing: A clinical approach. New York, NY: Saunders.
Norko, M., & Fitch, L. (2014). DSM-5 and substance use disorders: Clinicolegal implications. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 42(1), 443-452.
Scott, C. (2012). Forensic psychiatry: An issue of psychiatric clinics. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Watson, E. (Producer), & Aronofsky, D. (Director). (2010). Requiem for a dream [Motion picture]. United States: Artisan Entertainment.