The portrayal of mental illness in television shows and movies is a crucial part of breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Whether we want to admit it or not, the lens through which we view mental illness can be easily colored by how we see it portrayed on our TV screens. Unfortunately, television and film often get it wrong, painting depression as just a case of the blues or characterizing anxiety as common nerves. That being said, there are a few accurate depictions of these two disorders in the world of television shows and films. While there are countless other mental illnesses analyzed through these mediums, anxiety and depression are by far the most explored. So, here are four TV shows and movies that accurately illustrate what it’s like to suffer from anxiety and/or depression.
1. Nurse Jackie
Nurse Jackie gives us a picture of what it’s like to have anxiety as a young girl. A few episodes into the first season of the show, Jackie’s 10-year-old daughter Grace begins developing an anxiety disorder. Grace’s everyday worries quickly evolve into something more severe, and we can see her struggles through panic attacks, repetitive behaviors and her inability to sleep at night. The show’s portrayal of Grace’s mental struggles is refreshingly accurate and one of the best on television.
2. The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is probably one of the most well-known classics to grace our screens, showing the dangers of stereotyping and the ups and downs of life as a high schooler. However, it also highlights the detriments of social and academic expectations through Brian, aka “The Brain.” Brian is well-known for his intelligence and book smarts, which leads his classmates to believe he has a pretty good life. However, we discover at the end of the movie that Brian came dangerously close to committing suicide due to the pressure he felt from his parents. The Breakfast Club is a good representation of how mental health issues often go unnoticed, especially when those suffering have a tendency to put up a positive front.
3. This Is Us
As if they hadn’t already given viewers enough reason to love the show, This is Us provided fans with one of the most emotional scenes of the series when they revealed that Randall has suffered from severe anxiety for most of his life. After sprinkling a few hints here and there throughout multiple episodes, writers of the show finally allowed viewers to see Randall’s anxiety in a heart-breaking and authentic way. Randall’s panic attack is one of the most accurately portrayed in television, as we can see him shaking, hyperventilating, sweating and even momentarily losing his vision.
4. Inside Out
Although the Disney Pixar movie isn’t necessarily about a specific mental illness, it provides audiences with a clear understanding of how our minds work and the importance of good mental health. Riley, the main character, is a young girl who begins to experience negative emotions after her family moves to a different city. After the personified emotions in her mind begin to experience chaos, we see the effects of their turmoil through Riley’s sadness and anger on the outside. Inside Out conveys the message that sometimes what goes on inside our minds can be difficult to express on the outside.