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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Top 5 TV shows that deal with mental health | Top 5 TV shows that deal with mental health |
| (4 months later) | |
| Mental illness is having quite the year on the small and big screens. The stereotypical images of straitjackets and Frankenstein-inspired psychiatric procedures have been replaced by very human portrayals of mental health problems. We laugh, cry and identify with these characters and their issues. The triumphant Silver Linings Playbook sent a message that those affected shouldn't hide from society and can work with their illness in a positive manner. And a wide variety of TV shows are tackling mental health and mental illness in surprisingly deep ways. | Mental illness is having quite the year on the small and big screens. The stereotypical images of straitjackets and Frankenstein-inspired psychiatric procedures have been replaced by very human portrayals of mental health problems. We laugh, cry and identify with these characters and their issues. The triumphant Silver Linings Playbook sent a message that those affected shouldn't hide from society and can work with their illness in a positive manner. And a wide variety of TV shows are tackling mental health and mental illness in surprisingly deep ways. |
| Here are my top 5 American shows depicting mental illness: | Here are my top 5 American shows depicting mental illness: |
| 1. Wilfred (Season 3 premieres 20 June on the FX channel) | 1. Wilfred (Season 3 premieres 20 June on the FX channel) |
| When Ryan (Eljah Wood) succumbs to the stress of following in his father's footsteps as an attorney, he begins to see Wilfred – a man (hilariously played by Jason Gaan) who is also the neighbor's dog. This man in a dog costume brings Ryan out of his shell in unconventional and occasionally vindictive ways, but the show itself is therapeutic. The show is complex and makes the audience wonder what is real and what is imaginary or what our brain tells us as true. Each episode begins with strong quotes revolving around a range of topics, from anger to forgiveness and letting go. Though considered a dark comedy, the show is layered with many obstacles that Ryan has to confront and hopefully defeat in the world of his mental illness. | When Ryan (Eljah Wood) succumbs to the stress of following in his father's footsteps as an attorney, he begins to see Wilfred – a man (hilariously played by Jason Gaan) who is also the neighbor's dog. This man in a dog costume brings Ryan out of his shell in unconventional and occasionally vindictive ways, but the show itself is therapeutic. The show is complex and makes the audience wonder what is real and what is imaginary or what our brain tells us as true. Each episode begins with strong quotes revolving around a range of topics, from anger to forgiveness and letting go. Though considered a dark comedy, the show is layered with many obstacles that Ryan has to confront and hopefully defeat in the world of his mental illness. |
| 2. Girls (Season 3 currently filming on HBO) | 2. Girls (Season 3 currently filming on HBO) |
| This show depicts the life of four New York girls in their twenties. Relating to the idea of the show can be difficult, but the friendships and the dialogue of these girls are completely accurate for the 20-somethings out there. However, it wasn't until the end of season 2 that one could positively identify with the character Hannah (played by Lena Dunham). When Hannah gets her first offer to write a book in a month, her entire world falls apart. Her stress brings her back to when she was younger and dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Her social anxieties and destructive tendencies are relatable to mental illness. She begins to shut out the world around her, wishing she could get help but also not wanting people to pity her. The show itself makes you want to reach out and hug certain characters while slapping others. | This show depicts the life of four New York girls in their twenties. Relating to the idea of the show can be difficult, but the friendships and the dialogue of these girls are completely accurate for the 20-somethings out there. However, it wasn't until the end of season 2 that one could positively identify with the character Hannah (played by Lena Dunham). When Hannah gets her first offer to write a book in a month, her entire world falls apart. Her stress brings her back to when she was younger and dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Her social anxieties and destructive tendencies are relatable to mental illness. She begins to shut out the world around her, wishing she could get help but also not wanting people to pity her. The show itself makes you want to reach out and hug certain characters while slapping others. |
| 3. Community (NBC show that just wrapped up season 4 in May) | 3. Community (NBC show that just wrapped up season 4 in May) |
| For fans of this cult-like television show, all the characters of Community have their own brand of weirdness, but Abed Nadir (played by Danny Pudi) stands out. The way he lives in his head while simultaneously absorbing the thoughts of his Greendale Community College friends is remarkable. His safety blanket is pop culture and movies. For anyone with social anxieties, it's easy to identify with his fear of change and his love for things that are familiar. By the conclusion of the series, you hope that Abed and his best friend Troy will have the greatest success. But you also fear that they may become hermits lost in their own imaginary world. Community will be returning to NBC this fall (fingers crossed) for its fifth season. It was almost shelved in 2011, but popular demand has kept it going. | For fans of this cult-like television show, all the characters of Community have their own brand of weirdness, but Abed Nadir (played by Danny Pudi) stands out. The way he lives in his head while simultaneously absorbing the thoughts of his Greendale Community College friends is remarkable. His safety blanket is pop culture and movies. For anyone with social anxieties, it's easy to identify with his fear of change and his love for things that are familiar. By the conclusion of the series, you hope that Abed and his best friend Troy will have the greatest success. But you also fear that they may become hermits lost in their own imaginary world. Community will be returning to NBC this fall (fingers crossed) for its fifth season. It was almost shelved in 2011, but popular demand has kept it going. |
| 4. The Big Bang Theory (CBS series. Season 7 will commence in September) | 4. The Big Bang Theory (CBS series. Season 7 will commence in September) |
| This highly popular show looks at a group of friends (mainly young scientists) who display anxieties derived from being highly intelligent but socially awkward. Though not diagnosed in the series, Sheldon Cooper's character (Jim Parsons) displays traits that are often associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including Asperger syndrome, and OCD. Both Sheldon and Raj Koothrappali, (played by Kunal Nayyar) display major social anxieties which hinder them from enjoying life. However, they do have the ability to leave their shell and engage in the world with assistance from their friends and loved ones. | This highly popular show looks at a group of friends (mainly young scientists) who display anxieties derived from being highly intelligent but socially awkward. Though not diagnosed in the series, Sheldon Cooper's character (Jim Parsons) displays traits that are often associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including Asperger syndrome, and OCD. Both Sheldon and Raj Koothrappali, (played by Kunal Nayyar) display major social anxieties which hinder them from enjoying life. However, they do have the ability to leave their shell and engage in the world with assistance from their friends and loved ones. |
| 5. Dexter (Season 8 premieres June 30 on Showtime) | 5. Dexter (Season 8 premieres June 30 on Showtime) |
| Dexter Morgan (Michael C Hall) is a serial killer who works in forensics with a specialization in blood splatter for the Miami Metro Police Department. He is an internal thinker, but he also follows a bizarre code stemming from his late adopted father, Detective Harry Morgan. From this he justifies his killings through vigilantism and blames his desires on his "dark passenger". Dexter at times focuses on Harry's lessons of the past and when Dexter's instincts are wrong, Harry appears as part of his conscience. It is important to note that he suffered a traumatic event at the age of three, but Dexter continuously looks back on that and justifies it as the reason why he is who he is. His sister Debra (portrayed by Jennifer Carpenter) has many similar characteristics, but once faced with the truth of Dexter, she unravels. Dexter is different from the above mentioned shows. He stands out due to his violent and selfish nature and his inability to see himself as a human being. | Dexter Morgan (Michael C Hall) is a serial killer who works in forensics with a specialization in blood splatter for the Miami Metro Police Department. He is an internal thinker, but he also follows a bizarre code stemming from his late adopted father, Detective Harry Morgan. From this he justifies his killings through vigilantism and blames his desires on his "dark passenger". Dexter at times focuses on Harry's lessons of the past and when Dexter's instincts are wrong, Harry appears as part of his conscience. It is important to note that he suffered a traumatic event at the age of three, but Dexter continuously looks back on that and justifies it as the reason why he is who he is. His sister Debra (portrayed by Jennifer Carpenter) has many similar characteristics, but once faced with the truth of Dexter, she unravels. Dexter is different from the above mentioned shows. He stands out due to his violent and selfish nature and his inability to see himself as a human being. |
| Many people today see mental illness as an excuse, a negative attitude or something resulting from over thinking. However it is something that stems from the brain, can attack your nervous system and may result in many side disorders. When diagnosed with a mental illness, one's support system often starts out small. This is generally due to the embarrassment and uneasiness we all feel at revealing any perceived weaknesses or flaws to friends and family. As a result, so many feel their sense of self worth diminishes and they don't know where to turn. | Many people today see mental illness as an excuse, a negative attitude or something resulting from over thinking. However it is something that stems from the brain, can attack your nervous system and may result in many side disorders. When diagnosed with a mental illness, one's support system often starts out small. This is generally due to the embarrassment and uneasiness we all feel at revealing any perceived weaknesses or flaws to friends and family. As a result, so many feel their sense of self worth diminishes and they don't know where to turn. |
| These TV shows are putting mental illness into the mainstream and giving people who are dealing with a mental illness (or those close to someone who is) a chance to watch and reflect on their own issues. | These TV shows are putting mental illness into the mainstream and giving people who are dealing with a mental illness (or those close to someone who is) a chance to watch and reflect on their own issues. |
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