SARENO, MA. ELISA G. BSN III-A
INTRODUCTION
The character of a person is shown through his or her personality -- by the way an individual thinks, feels, and behaves. Personality refers to a distinctive set of traits, behavior styles, and patterns that make up our character or individuality. How we perceive the world, our attitudes, thoughts, and feelings are all part of our personality. It also refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas: One is understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability. The other understands how the various parts of a person come together as a whole. People with healthy personalities are able to cope with normal stresses and have no trouble forming relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. Those who struggle with a personality disorder have great difficulty dealing with other people. They tend to be inflexible, rigid, and unable to respond to the changes and demands of life. Although they feel that their behavior patterns are “normal” or “right,” people with personality disorders tend to have a narrow view of the world and find it difficult to participate in social activities. Personality disorders, by definition, are disorders of personality. Consequently, they are typified by early onset and pervasive effects. Nevertheless, there are treatments
that can help those with personality disorders learn to cope with their distinctive problems in living. We all have personality traits and characteristics, although psychologists differ in the number of personality characteristics that appear to be distinct and unique. The degree to which we exhibit a specific personality trait varies from person to person. Some personality traits have biological roots, but all are influenced by our environment, especially our family relationships. Consequently, the millions of possible combinations of personality traits, in varying degrees, accounts for the unique individuality we all possess, but the relatively small number of different personality traits also explains why there are so many similarities between groups of people. A personality disorder is said to exist when the way in which an individual consistently perceives, relates to and thinks about him- or herself and the world around him or her is so rigid and out of sync with others that it causes difficulty in forming and sustaining relationships and coping with the normal stresses of daily living. As a result, the individual feels very unhappy and distressed. A personality disorder must fulfill several criteria. A deeply ingrained, inflexible pattern of relating, perceiving, and thinking serious enough to cause distress or impaired functioning is a personality disorder. Personality disorders are usually recognizable by adolescence or earlier, continue throughout adulthood, and become less obvious throughout middle age.
Some experts believe that events occurring in early childhood exert a powerful influence upon behavior later in life. Others indicate that people are genetically predisposed to personality disorders. In some cases, however, environmental facts may cause a person who is already genetically vulnerable to develop a personality disorder. Social aspect of individuality is an important facet of one’s “being” or “personhood”. As it was discussed on lectures, again and again, it can be one of the dictators or evaluating criterion for heath or illness. Antisocial personality diorder as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood.
People with antisocial personality disorder typically have no regard for right and wrong. They may often violate the law and the rights of others, landing in frequent trouble or conflict. They may lie, behave violently, and have drug and alcohol problems. And people with antisocial personality disorder may not be able to fulfill responsibilities to family, work or school.
Antisocial personality disorder is a type of chronic mental illness in which a person's ways of thinking, perceiving situations and relating to others are abnormal — and destructive. The intensity of antisocial symptoms tends to peak during the 20s and then may decrease over time. It's not clear whether this is a result of aging or an increased awareness of the consequences of antisocial behavior. But while people with this disorder
might be less likely to commit crimes against others later in life, they may still have trouble functioning in relationships, work or school.
Individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder frequently lack empathy and tend to be callous, cynical, and contemptuous of the feelings, rights, and sufferings of others. They may have an inflated and arrogant self-appraisal (e.g., feel that ordinary work is beneath them or lack a realistic concern about their current problems or their future) and may be excessively opinionated, self-assured, or cocky. They may display a glib, superficial charm and can be quite voluble and verbally facile (e.g., using technical terms or jargon that might impress someone who is unfamiliar with the topic). Lack of empathy, inflated self-appraisal, and superficial charm are features that have been commonly included in traditional conceptions of psychopathy and may be particularly distinguishing of Antisocial Personality Disorder in prison or forensic settings where criminal, delinquent, or aggressive acts are likely to be nonspecific. These individuals may also be irresponsible and exploitative in their sexual relationships. Researchers today don't know what causes antisocial personality disorder. There are many theories, however, about the possible causes of antisocial personality disorder. Most professionals subscribe to a biopsychosocial model of causation -- that is, the causes of are likely due to biological and genetic factors, social factors (such as how a person interacts in their early development with their family and friends and other children), and psychological factors (the individual's personality and temperament, shaped by their environment and learned coping skills to deal with stress). This suggests that no single factor is responsible -- rather, it is the complex and likely intertwined
nature of all three factors that are important. If a person has this personality disorder, research suggests that there is a slightly increased risk for this disorder to be "passed down" to their children. Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in the general population is about 3% in males and 1% in females.It is seen in 3% to 30% of psychiatric outpatients. The prevalence of the disorder is even higher in selected populations, such as people in prison. Similarly, the prevalence of ASPD is higher among patients in alcohol or other drug abuse treatment programs than in the general, suggesting a link between ASPD and AOD abuse and dependence.
SUMMARY American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, a middle-aged magazine writer who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). Annette Bening co-stars as Lester's materialistic wife, Carolyn, and Thora Birch plays their insecure daughter, Jane; Wes Bentley, Chris Cooper and Allison Janney also feature. The film has been described by academics as a satire of American middle class notions of beauty and personal satisfaction; analysis has focused on the film's explorations of romantic and paternal love, sexuality, beauty, materialism, self-liberation and redemption. Ball began writing American Beauty as a play in the early 1990s, partly inspired by the media circus around the Amy Fisher trial in 1992. He shelved the play after realizing the story would not work on the stage. After several years as a television screenwriter, Ball revived the idea in 1997 when attempting to break into the film industry. The modified script had a cynical outlook that was influenced by Ball's frustrating tenures writing for several sitcoms. Producers Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen took American Beauty to DreamWorks; the fledgling film studio bought Ball's script for $250,000, outbidding several other production bodies. DreamWorks financed the $15 million production and served as the North American distributor. American Beauty marked acclaimed theater director Mendes' film debut; courted after his successful productions of the musicals Oliver! and Cabaret, Mendes was nevertheless only given the
job after twenty others were considered and several "A-list" directors turned down the opportunity. Released in North America on September 15, 1999, American Beauty was positively received by critics and audiences alike; it was the best-reviewed American film of the year and grossed over $350 million worldwide. Reviewers praised most aspects of the production, with particular emphasis on Mendes, Spacey and Ball; criticism tended to focus on the familiarity of the characters and setting. DreamWorks launched a major campaign to increase American Beauty's chances of Academy Award success; at the 72nd Academy Awards the following year, the film won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (for Spacey), Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. Plot Synopsis: The movie is about Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), who sees no point to his existence: he is in a cold and frigid relationship with his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening); he barely talks to his daughter Jane (Thora Birch); and he has just been put on the firing line at his job. After meeting his new neighbour Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley) and smoking some pot (and not to mention becoming infatuated with Jane's high school classmate Angela (Mena Suvari)), Lester undergoes a remarkable transformation and decides to stop being a conformist. He quits his job, much to the chagrin of his wife, and begins to work at a Burger King. (So much for rebelling against the establishment.)
Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is a middle-aged magazine writer who despises his job. His wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening), is an ambitious real-estate broker; their sixteen-year-old daughter, Jane (Birch), abhors her parents and has low self-esteem. The Burnhams' new neighbors are retired United States Marine Corps Colonel Frank Fitts (Chris Cooper) and his introverted wife, Barbara (Allison Janney); their teenage son, Ricky (Wes Bentley), is a marijuana smoker and drug dealer whom the colonel subjects to a strict disciplinarian lifestyle. Ricky records his surroundings with a video camera, and keeps dozens of taped videos in his bedroom. Lester becomes infatuated with Jane's cheerleader friend, Angela Hayes (Mena Suvari), after seeing her perform a half-time dance routine at a high school basketball game. He begins to have sexual fantasies about Angela, during which red rose petals are a recurring motif. Carolyn begins an affair with a business rival, Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher). Lester is told he is to be laid off, but blackmails his boss for $60,000 and quits his job, taking employment serving fast food. He buys his dream car and starts working out after he overhears Angela tell Jane that she would find him sexually attractive if he improved his physique. He begins smoking marijuana bought from Ricky and flirts with Angela whenever she visits Jane. The girls' friendship cools and Jane becomes involved with Ricky; they bond over what Ricky considers the most beautiful imagery he has filmed: a plastic bag dancing in the wind. Lester discovers Carolyn's infidelity, but reacts indifferently. Buddy cools the affair, saying he is facing a potentially expensive divorce. Col. Fitts becomes suspicious of Lester and Ricky's friendship, and finds his son's footage of Lester lifting weights while nude, which Ricky captured by chance. After watching Ricky and Lester through Lester's garage window, the colonel mistakenly concludes the pair are sexually involved. He later
beats Ricky and accuses him of being gay. Ricky falsely admits the charge and goads his father into turning him out of their home. Over Angela's objections, Ricky convinces Jane to flee with him to New York City, after first calling Angela ordinary. Carolyn loads a gun and drives home. Col. Fitts confronts Lester and attempts to kiss him; Lester rebuffs the colonel, who flees. Lester finds a distraught Angela; she asks him to tell her she is beautiful. He does, and she begins to seduce him. After learning that Angela is a virgin, Lester stops; the pair instead bond over their shared frustrations. Angela goes to the bathroom and Lester smiles at a family photograph in his kitchen. A gunshot sounds and blood spatters on the wall. Ricky and Jane find Lester's body. Carolyn is seen crying in the bedroom, and the colonel returns home, bloodied, a gun missing from his collection. Lester's closing narration describes meaningful experiences he's had during his life, and explains that despite his death he is happy, as "it's hard to stay mad when there's so much beauty in the world." According to this movie, there’s no limit to the damage and destruction that humans can cause to one another, to their children, and to themselves. Materialism, hypocrisy, inappropriate behavior, and a crucial devaluing of relationships threaten middle-class American families. The only hope of redemption lies in the ability of its younger members to speak the truth, turn their backs on the demeaning values of their parents, and find strength in one another. Virtually all of the adults in this movie are portrayed as dysfunctional. They're selfabsorbed, controlling, withdrawn, materialistic, sexually obsessed, violent, bigoted, or a combination of the above. The three teens at the center of the story are angry, troubled, and faced with a constant onslaught of the dysfunction that surrounds them. They're
given no reasonable parenting and are fighting on their own for sanity in a near-insane environment. In two scenes, an out-of-control father beats his teen son, causing injury and bloody cuts on the boy’s face and head. A mother forcefully slaps her teen daughter. A gunshot to the back of a character’s head has grisly results: blood splattered on the wall, on clothing, and the victim lying wide-eyed in death, blood still pouring from his head. Firing a gun at a shooting range is equated with “stress release.” Lots of teen and adult pot smoking throughout. One young man is a marijuana dealer. Adults drink champagne at a party and wine with dinner, and one man offers beer to a teen. “Getting high” and being high are the topics of many conversations.
REACTION The history of psychiatry in the movies may have been started at the advent of the 20th century although there are already movies showing disabilities in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This only shows that even on the early times or years, disabilities and disorders are already dominating the populace.
Seeing movies with any disabilities or disorders embarking upon these concepts are somehow very helpful. This play an important learning tool and awareness instrument for those who may be able to watch or may interest to watch it. Although it is not that usual to involve diseases on a movie, it reveals a great impact unto someone’s life. Some would not even agree on this kind of conceptualization but for students engaging in a medical course, these will be beneficial. Everyone has its own taste or preferences in terms of leisure and entertainment and I know that others will definitely refuse to watch or will not be eager to know it. On the other hand, these movies are very intriguing that will magnetize people to take a glance and finally take time a look at it.
Psychiatric problems or mental disorders are believed to be prevalent at 46% of the whole population. This percentage is somewhat high for it is almost halfway. Through this, I can say that mentally ill persons are almost half of the entire human creature. Introducing or creating movies that would tackle psychiatric disorders will be disseminating ways of informing people.
American Beauty is not like any of the psychiatric movies which focus only on a certain disease or disorder, its symptoms and with only one story. In this movie, general psychiatric symptoms of mental disorders are shown simultaneously. Although not directly presented, anti-social personality disorder prevails on the major character which is Lester Burnham. It neither presented in the synopsis that it is about anti-social personality disorder (ASPD). In the movie, Lester is a man who is going on a midlife crisis. Crisis as was taught by Director Neil G. Cabbo in his lecture is an internal disturbance that results from a stressful event or a perceived threat to the integrity. In other words, it is a state of disequilibrium. Crisis is the door to psychiatric disorders.
Later on by continuing watching the movie, you will be able to see things that Lester Burham will carry out. These “such” things are indeed manifestations of disequilibrium – which often lead to a psychiatric disorder. These symptoms will be accessible as I introduce it one by one and as I further elaborate my discussion on it.
Anti-social personality disorders is defined by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as "...a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood." In simple terms, the people with the disorder lacks empathy. It was shown in the movie in multiple acts and plays. On one of the early episodes in the movie, Lester Burnham is masturbating while he is taking a bath. This shows that people with an antisocial personality dissorder cannot delay gratification. Another symptom which is indirectly arrayed is when Lester is his desk in front of his
computer. The image, which is his reflection onn the computer monitor, resembled as if he is in a jail. People who is usually affected by ASPD are men and are prisoners. ASPD patients has impaired judgment and insight. One significant event in the story that would be evident for this is when Lester forced his boss to fire him because who don’t want or like the job anymore. He did not actually convinced his boss to fire him. Instead, he emitted words that will definitely institute an action of firing an employee just as what his boss did. Lester preferred to be out of an office an be on a fast food chain rather than exerting an effort to please his boss. Another would be when he purchased a car while he is unemployed. Although ASPD patients look normal in appearance, they are easily irritated and becomes aggressive. (Lester sudddenly threw a plate of food when her wife started mocking while he is still talking.) ASPD is also manifested by difficulty performing roles. Another idea that contibute to ASPD is that it can be a substanceinduced related disorder. In the movie, Lester started buying ang taking drug pills which markedly showed excitability and hyperactivity. Lester has sexual fantasies – fantasy is a cognitive manifestation of stress which is a cause of mental illness.
As I said earlier, American Beauty presents psychiatric symptoms. These symptoms are not only manifesting on Lester Burnham as the major character but also on the other characters. Lester’s wife Carolyn is a woman who will do everything just to have everything. He did affiliate with another man other than his husband – a much richer and profound man. She is a materialistic woman. This kind of act may have been resulted as a frustration from her childhood years. Lester’s daughter Jane, is full of insecurities. She is continually striving for perfection – family, friend, relationship and
physically. This is a posotive sign of inferiority complex. Ricky Fitts is another character in the movie. He is the kid of one neighboring family. Ricky is Jane’s lover. He is a “weirdo”. On one of the scenes in the movie, he was caught by Jane and Angela filming a dead bird. (Isn’t that weird?) also, he is a drug dealer that would lend Lester drug pills. He is very confident, arrogant and doesn’t care what others may think of him. He is obsessed with beauty! Obsession is a disturbance in thought content and is defined as the pathological persistence of an irresistible feeling that cannot be eliminated. Ricky’s father has homophobia. He engaged in Military and is now a retired officer. He will do everything just for his son to be just what he is but later on surprised when Ricky said something that made his father conclude he is gay. In one particular scene in the movie, he kissed Lester on the lips. Phobia is a symptom of mental illness. Ricky’s mother is nearly catatonic. She seems disoriented with what she is doing and usually ends up staring on a blank space. (Catatonia is a psychiatric symptom.) Angela, Jane’s friend is a hippocrite. He pretends to be the most envied girl in everything – appearance and relationships. She has “sexual illusions”. She has this hobby of telling everyone about her sexual experiences but in reality she don’t have any. Lastly, in the movie, there are two more other gays. There is a great deal of suspense in this story line: we know the ending right at the beginning that Lester will be dead in a year's time. How and why isn't revealed until the very last, and then too with a bit of a twist. The movie tries to tell us that conforming to a lifestyle dictated by society leads to dysfunctionality. But finding "freedom" as illustrated in the film isn't exactly great either.
As the movie proceeds, each of the characters undergoes a transformation that breaks them out of their rut and enables them to proceed to the next level of existence. Each transformation is strikingly characterized by the movement between living a life in a numbing routine (for the sake of normalcy) and living a dynamic life where everything is uncertain and changing. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. At the end, only Lester has found "freedom" (in a rather permanent sort of way, I should add): Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper), the homophobic father of Ricky is left to confront his own demons; Jane and Ricky head off to become professional drug dealers; Carolyn's transformation leaves her alone; and there is nothing to fix Angela's insecurity.
