Are you looking for a movie that does a fantastic job depicting what mental illness is truly like for many individuals? Then Joker is a MUST-SEE FILM! Please don’t read this post yet if you have not seen this movie! If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you go watch it right now. Then come back and read what I have to say!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful winter! Now that the holidays are over and our spending has slowed down, what is there to do while we patiently wait for spring / summer? With this dark and gloomy weather, I have quite a few TV-shows and movies saved for viewing and binge-watching for the winter season. Joker was one movie I saved for hibernation weather.
I, of course, am familiar with the Joker’s character and his association to Batman and Gotham City from comic books and old movies. When I heard about this new adaptation, I was quite excited to see it! I had heard from a few friends that it was ‘dark’ and ‘uncomfortable’, which grabbed my interest even more. Then, when I watched it, my mind was blown! I understand how this film can be perceived by many, but as a mental health professional it was absolutely beautiful on how the main character is depicted and the daily struggles he has to experience.
An Audience Perspective
Some mental health illnesses can appear disturbing or frightening for many people, so I understand how comprehending the character’s decisions and interactions was confusing. However, I feel his behavior was illustrated in an accurate and sincere way. It was a beautiful adaption based on Joker’s limited resources, poor economic status, past trauma, family dysfunction and mental health symptoms. I enjoyed the representation because it was honest on many levels. Lower functioning individuals or individuals who reside in lower class communities typically experience fewer resources to find stability with medication, therapy and financial assistance.
Based on the presenting symptoms, Joker suffers from Paranoid Schizophrenia, PTSD and Dissociative Identity Disorder. The film captured a wonderful picture of visual and auditory hallucinations (hearing/seeing things that are not there). Also, it did well with connecting Joker’s severe past trauma and lack of identity to his destructive behaviors. The film’s director included the audience in Joker’s daily hallucinations and impulsive decisions, believing they were real (just as he did) with the realization toward the end that it was not based in reality.
What is the Cause?
I’ve heard people ask, what caused him to be Joker? Although that is an intriguing question about his character, it’s a quite simple answer. Based on all of his symptoms, the one common theme was his unstable and unhealthy environment. Joker experienced a severe amount of trauma; emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse and lack of boundaries with his mother. These causes create an emotional and developmental shift. Although these diagnoses are based on genetics and environmental factors, the film focuses on Joker’s surroundings and the unfortunate upbringing he experienced.
Take Away Message
Everyone walks away with different interpretations of film. The one I walked away with was how educational this film was. I hope audiences learned how difficult it is to live with mental health illness as well as the struggle to live a stable life with very little support. The one thing I want audiences to understand is that people with mental health issues need our help. Financial and community resources make a world of a difference, but spreading kindness can be as equally as important. Education and compassion breaks down barriers.
Do you know someone who suffers from mental illness? Barnum Counseling is accepting new clients! Please contact 630-797-9192 to schedule an appointment today or click here for more information on our services.
Written by: Coral Pidone, MA, LPC
Photo by Ryunosuke Kikuno on Unsplash