Reel mind real matters
Mental health is a serious issue. And there are many international TV shows that get it right.
CHANDNI U compiles a list of popular sitcoms and drama series that portray mental illness creatively, and sometimes, lightheartedly.
CHENNAI: Exaggeration and sensationalism on TV maybe wrong, but it works. TV sitcoms, in the last decade, have introduced characters with mental health issues, who seem to be handing it surprisingly better than people with the same problems in real world. While some viewers despise a ‘certain’ portrayal of the illness, many believe it’s the perfect way to spread awareness about mental health issues.
Even if certain characters are exaggerated, like our beloved Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory), Phoebe (FRIENDS) or Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, there are some shows that make an attempt to showcase the reality. Case in point is Jessica Jones from the TV show Jessica Jones where the protagonist suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While Indian TV shows need to move from dramatic household wars, City Express brings you a list of international TV show characters, who are turning heads, raising eyebrows and also making a much-needed social impact.
Carrie Mathison
Homeland
Condition: Bipolar
Being bipolar is confusing enough, but a bipolar CIA operative is pretty thrilling and awesome! Carrie Mathison played by Claire Danes is a kickass agent who goes to any lengths to catch terrorists. When she goes off her meds, she relapses, and her mental well-being is in a tailspin. As brilliant as her mind is, and as unreliable as the character is portrayed, there’s no ‘thrill’ in being bipolar. Yes, it can be treated, and you can lead a fulfilling life, and a big whoop to the creators of Carrie character for showing that!
Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Condition: Sociopath
Benedict Cumberbatch has charmed audiences with his brilliant portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, a drug addict with exceptional observational skills and an uncanny ability to solve puzzles. In reality, as a sociopath, he lacks guilt and shame. Though Cumberbatch’s Sherlock might not be very convincing in the episode, he still manages to be shameless while being naked at the Buckingham Palace or while insulting his peers. It only makes his viewers love him more. In reality? Unlikely!
Carrie Wells
The Unforgettable
Condition: Hyperthymesia
How cool would it be to have the ability to remember everything? A photographic memory in laymen terms! This particular rare medical condition, the uncommonly elaborate and autobiographical memory is used by Carrie Wells, a detective agent to solve complex criminal cases. Very handy, but more often than not, forgetfulness can be a blessing especially if you want to get over traumas and depressing memories.
Sheldon Cooper
The Big Bang Theory
Condition: Obsessive Complusive Disorder (OCD), Asperger’s Syndrome
We love watching Jim Parsons play the sometimes-annoying and endearing Sheldon. He goes ballistic over germs and his seat on the couch, he does not understand sarcasm, has this obsessive need to knock three times…and the list goes on. In reality, you need a lot of patience and understanding (of the illness) to deal with people who have OCD and Asperger’s. But giving it a light-hearted twist on a sitcom can be a good way to invite viewers to take interest in such people, learn and help them.
Charlie Harper
Two and a Half Men
Condition: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Charlie Harper, played by Charlie Sheen, always had a drink in his hand. Again, a much loved character, he got drunk, had sex, got drunk again and had sex with maybe two people. He often forgets the name of the women he slept with, and had no problems lying his way into their lives too! As much as viewers loved him and mourned his on-screen death, in reality alcoholics are not celebrated. Sheen, the very representative of his character, also had a long list of haters. Though the show was hilarious with witty one-liners, sarcastic comebacks and a dimwit teenager, in reality, it would be difficult to live with a clever, sharp-witted alcoholic especially if you have a child.
Rebecca Bunch
Crazy Ex-girlfriend
Condition: Depression
Led by anxiety and depression, Rebecca Bunch played by Rachel Bloom, the co-creator of the show, uprooted her life over an old love interest. She impulsively gives up her life in New York as a lawyer, moves to California to find love and happiness. Many viewers relate to Rebecca as depression can make people do the unspeakable and the unwise. A broken heart, many experts believe, is the major cause for depression.
Lexie Grey
Grey’s Anatomy
Condition: Eidetic memory
Half sister of Meredith Grey, Lexie Grey played by Chyler Leigh who has an eidetic memory lets her earn the name Lexipedia. There are scenes where the residents at the hospital make Lexi, an intern, read all the material from the library, as they weren’t allowed to take the papers outside the library. In reality, this is one of those rare conditions that people wouldn’t hesitate to pay millions to have!
Shawn Spencer
Psych
Condition: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Wit, impulsiveness and self-referential humour, all that’s part of the private detective and as his world knows him, a psychic – Shawn Spencer played by James Roday. Though not a popular TV show, maybe because of its absurdity, Shawn sure gets many second glances. One of the other characters in the show describes him as ‘a thick-tufted boy genius who ice skates through life on polished blades of snarky eloquence’. While Shawn uses his mental condition to solve crimes as if having access to the end of the storybook, in reality, having ADHD requires a lot of self-effort.
Abed Nadir
Community
Condition: Asperger’s syndrome
As one of the most-loved characters in the show, he is a playfully quaint child in the body of a grown man. Abed is lovable and extremely self-referential, and creates magic in the lives of the other characters as well as the viewers. Having such a character in a TV show is actually quite inspiring for the people living with Asperger’s in real life. Though socially awkward, most people with Asperger’s are intelligent and do well in creative areas.
characters with
mental disorder
1. Tara Gregson, United States of Tara
Dissociative Identity Disorder
2. Adrian Monk, Monk
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
3. Emma Pilsbury, Glee
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
4. Hannah Horvath, Girls
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
5. Walter White, Breaking Bad
Psychopathy and Narcissistic Personality Disorder
6. Monica Geller, Friends
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
7. Rae, My Mad Fat Diary
Binge Eating and Depression
8. Dr Gregory House, House MD
Sociopath and Attachment Disorder
9. Dr Spencer Reid, Criminal Minds
Asperger’s Syndrome
10. Daniel Pierce, Perception
Schizophrenia
11. Catherine Black, Black Box
Bipolar Disorder
12. Erin Silver, Beverly Hills
Bipolar Disorder
13. Maude Findlay, All in the Family
Manic Depressive
(The writer is a freelance journalist)