Best Movies About Mental Illness

There’s a long list of movies about mental illness that accurately depict the complexities of various mental disorders.

While some miss the mark completely, there are plenty that are definitely worth watching. Our center for mental health care in Boca Raton is sharing a list of the best movies about mental illness that you should watch as soon as possible.

Best Movies About Mental Illness You Need to Watch

Some of these movies about people with mental illness are older and some are more modern. It’s interesting to see how society’s perspective on mental illness has changed and how those changes have been translated onscreen. Without further ado, here are 10 of the most accurate films about mental illness.

What About Bob (1991)

What About Bob? is a comedy that’s centered on the relationship between a psychiatrist and his patient. Bob is a very needy patient with a severe anxiety disorder. When his psychiatrist goes on vacation, Bob decides to follow him along with the rest of his family. His psychiatrist attempts to get Bob to leave but to no avail. This movie is a funny, yet accurate portrayal of how intense anxiety symptoms can be and the importance of finding a good mental health care provider.

At Banyan Mental Health, we offer anxiety treatment in Boca that addresses a variety of anxiety disorders. Our patients are given the tools and education needed to take control of their mental illness and learn how to cope with it in healthy ways.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

A Beautiful Mind is a film that tells the story of mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. and his experience with schizophrenia. Based on a true story, A Beautiful Mind portrays the difficulties John experienced when symptoms of his disorder began. While certain parts of the movie are slightly exaggerated, like certain people he makes up in his head, this is only done to help the audience visualize what he’s thinking. This movie accurately captures the side effects and signs of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia, as well as how they can affect a person’s life.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that can greatly impact a person’s life. Without help, a person with schizophrenia can lose their jobs, families, and overall health. At Banyan Treatment Centers for mental health, we also offer schizophrenia treatment that addresses each detail of this condition, promoting a successful recovery.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

“Silver Linings Playbook” is another one of the many funny and accurate movies about mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder. It tells the story of Pat, a man with bipolar disorder who is forced to move back in with his parents after he physically assaulted the man with who his wife was having an affair. The symptoms of his disorder led to his divorce and other problems in his life. While he was determined to go to therapy and improve in an attempt to get back together with his wife, his plans were cut short when he meets a woman named Tiffany. The relationship between Pat and Tiffany goes to show the importance of learning how to be there for someone with a mental disorder. Tiffany made an effort to learn more about Pat, and eventually, they fell for each other. This is a great movie about bipolar disorder, the effects of its symptoms, and the importance of bipolar disorder treatment and therapy.

The Skeleton Twins (2014)

The Skeleton Twins is another funny movie about mental illness that follows the story of a brother and sister, both of whom suffer from depression. After both of them attempt suicide, they’re reunited in the hospital, which begins a new chapter in their relationship. They begin to learn more about each other and their conditions, helping them learn more about themselves in the process. This movie offers an accurate depiction of depression, its symptoms, and the importance of support.

While certain movies that talk about mental illness may lighten the mood with humor, depression is a serious disorder. Untreated depression often leads to suicidal thoughts and behavior. Fortunately, our depression treatment in Boca incorporates a variety of therapies and methods to help patients overcome the effects of depression and learn how to properly cope with their symptoms.

It’s Kind Of A Funny Story (2010)

You wouldn’t think there would be so many comedies about mental illness, but alas, here’s number five on our list of the best movies about mental illness, and it’s a comedy. It’s Kind Of A Funny Story tells the story of a 16-year-old who checks himself into a mental health program to get help for his depression and suicidal thoughts. He ends up staying in the adult wing because the youth wing is under construction. During his time there, he meets other patients who are also receiving mental health treatment. The stigma of madness and insanity often portrayed in patients is broken down, allowing the seriousness of these conditions and the genuineness of recovery to shine through.

Ordinary People (1980)

In Ordinary People, the struggles of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and survivor’s guilt are explored in a raw and accurate portrayal. This movie tells the story of Conrad, who survived a sailing accident that killed his brother. Survivor’s guilt causes him to attempt suicide, which landed him in a psychiatric hospital. When he returns home, he attempts to reconnect with his mother who has grown emotionally cold and angry as a result of the accident. The movie follows his recovery and reconnection with his mother with the help of his psychiatrist.

PTSD is often the result of experiencing trauma. Whether it was one incident or a period of trauma, an individual with PTSD may suffer from flashbacks and other symptoms for the rest of their lives. However, with PTSD treatment like the one offered at our mental health care facility, sufferers can develop new coping methods for their symptoms.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)

This is a more modern depiction of a high schooler’s anxiety. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower shares the life of Charlie, a teenager who is anxious about starting high school. He eventually makes a group of friends who bring joy into his life. However, this joy is cut short when they prepare to move away for college. As the film progresses, viewers learn more about his anxiety and mental health. It’s an accurate coming-of-age film that does an exemplary job of portraying the highs and lows of growing up with a mental disorder.

Matchstick Men (2003)

Matchstick Men tells the story of a con-artist named Roy who works with his assistant to con people out of their money. However, his career is disrupted by symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), agoraphobia, and panic attacks. When he finds out that he has a 14-year-old daughter, he’s forced to not only reevaluate his career choice but his isolated lifestyle as well. Matchstick Men successfully portrays the symptoms of OCD and how they can affect a person’s life.

OCD is another misunderstood mental disorder that’s often used to humorously describe a person’s neatness or attention to detail. OCD is a much more complex mental illness that often requires professional treatment and therapy for a steady recovery. Our OCD treatment in Boca targets the patterns of behavior and thought associated with this disorder and teaches patients new ways to manage them.

Inside Out (2015)

This quirky and fun animated movie about the different emotions in a young girl’s mind made headways when it was released in 2015. Inside Out is about the emotions Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust and their attempts to help Riley and her family after they move to San Francisco. The emotions learn how to work together to help Riley process these changes. Inside Out offers a heartwarming, clever, and interesting take on how our emotions work together.