Research for a script

Hello all,

I'm doing research on phobias, syndromes, dysfunctions, addictions and such for a feature script I'm writing and was wondering if anyone could suggest some good books and sites dealing with highly unusual cases. I've read numerous articles, college psyc books, case studies and such, but I haven't found a great source that details the person with the condition. Thus far my favorite book has been a book titled Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology, but it left me wanting to know more about the clients. I guess what I'm getting at is material with specific examples of behavior as a result of a client’s condition. For example, a lot of books/articles inform clients with OCD usually have issues with numbers. I'd like to get specific, interesting examples.

It is not my intent to document a client’s personal experience, or break the confidentiality rule, but to discover vastly interesting subjects to base character development from.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Well, there are plenty of stories on these forums. I'm a bit hazy on people's rights regarding information posted on "teh internetz", but I'm assuming that the right thing to do, if you want to use someone's story, would be to first obtain their permission (or their guardian's, if they are a minor or disabled), and to ask if they wish to be compensated. That would be the classy and tactful way to go.

Also, since you appear to be just starting out, please beware that taking the "interesting cases" and popularizing them might have a negative effect or misrepresent people with mental illnesses. If you present a statistical outlier to the public, the public is likely to assume that all people with the specified disorder behave this way. That's how stereotypes are made.

For example, Glenn Close's character in "Fatal Attraction" was an extreme portrayal of someone with borderline personality disorder. Winona Ryder's character in "Girl, Interrupted" (who also had BPD), however, was a much deeper and more respectful portrayal--although it didn't have the "thriller" aspect.

What I'm saying is, be careful how you portray people with mental illness. Some people might make for interesting stories--but don't turn your subjects into a freak show.

That said, good luck with your project.

FrayedEndOfSanity,

Thank you for your reply.

I assure you I'm not looking to make a diabolical of mental illness. I have a BA in Psyc and am respectful of the craft. I apologize my inquiry wasn't more detailed. I find case studies fascinating. The most fascinating aspects to me are the normal day details. I'm not looking to glorify or exaggerate mental conditions, but to add credibility to my work and develop enriched characters built on a basis of the human dynamic.

Long story short, I thank you for your advice and encouragement. I hope my script yields satisfactory results for the Psyc community.

Thank you!

Also keep in mind that people in the forums arn't always who they are in real life.

I for instance am, "Cool on the internet."

LOL

Well actually, I come here to vent and get down with my crazy so I don't have to subject it to my loved ones. I generally Vent, make Jokes, and the like. So... not as "crazy" in real life.

CarmenRose,

You make me laugh. When I read your post, I immediately thought, "teh internetz is srs bizns". Again, not making fun of you; just appreciating the satire.

I gotta add something to what you said (I always have to throw a serious note in, it seems). I think that behaviors people exhibit on the Internet are behaviors/attitudes that they already have the ability/need to express. It doesn't matter if these behaviors are "bad", "neutral" or "good". The veil of anonymity brings out what it will. Some people choose anonymity to be "someone else". Some choose it to be more LIKE themselves. Either way, they show personality facets that are already there.

For example, there are men who will pretend to be 18-year-old girls on the Internet. Some will do this for sexual gratification. Others will do this because they want to express emotions they feel, have "an edge" at gaining appreciation for their hobbies such as model rockets and RC cars. Others still will take on young, female personas because their immediate environment has taught them that emotions are not something that is "right" for men to feel. All of these are real needs and sometimes even real personality facets. But on the 'Net, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between the need itself and the means of filling it.

Anyway, Carmen, I think that you have just as much capacity for humor, helping people and expressing your opinions in real life as you do here. Like you said, you choose to do it here.

And I personally find it awesome.

<3

--Frayed

kugar13,

I didn't mean to sound like I'm reaming you out. I guess I'm just a bit overprotective of these forums and the people on them. I think your heart's in the right place. Thank you for making your intentions more clear.

What I said in my post to CarmenRose23 can apply to your research as well. You never know what you'll find in an anonymous situation.

I have to warn you about books and case studies. While you read them, remember that you're taking in a second-hand account of another person's experiences. That person's story is "filtered" through the point of view of the author. I think it's helpful to compare notes in this manner, but I think it's also useful to get a first-hand account.

See if there's a support group in your area for something or other, and if the moderator will let you sit in.

Since you mentioned an interest in OCD and numbers, here's a thread by me that (right now) doesn't include anyone else in it.
obsessive-compulsive/topic46425.html
My case is mild compared to those of many, but I'm willing to share it with you, free of charge, lol. If you want more details as to what brought this on, feel free to PM me and I'll elaborate. If you make money off of what you're doing, that's great. If at that point you want to give back, do it of your own accord and donate to psychforums.com. This place has helped me immensely. That's my opinion and you should probably clear the individual details with individual people.

I would like to point you to some sites or even some individual cases here, but I don't feel right in doing so. My place on this forum is to give my opinion where I think it will be useful. Nothing more. However, I don't think that there is any harm in your searching the board, finding interesting people and corresponding with them.

I'd clear it with the mods just to be safe. Reference this topic.

I think that a lot of good can come from what you're doing.

--Frayed

Hey,

I'm very grateful to be discussing such issues with people who care about the integrity of the subject matter. People's lives aren't trivial, not by any means. Thanks for your help and dedication. I'll be reviewing the link and other resources suggested in the days to follow. Thanks again and I was curious... what are your favorite films dealing with such issues? Which do you believe reflect poorly on the psyc community and which do you believe do the community justice.

Thanks again. I look forward to our next discussion.

Movies? Hmmm... Let's see. I've already mentioned Fatal Attraction and Girl, Interrupted. I liked "Girl, Interrupted."

I'll try to think of more movies.

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THIS IS YOUR SPOILER WARNING!

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Yesterday I watched a non-Hollywood movie, "Population 436." It resonated with me because I have a mild obsession with numbers. It's interesting to see how an entire town can be affected after a traumatic event. Is it a respectful portrayal? I don't know. It's at least deep, though.

"A Beautiful Mind" was great. Very respectful, if a bit idyllic.

"Psycho." (Alfred Hitchcock) While a bit naive and extreme, it at least attempts to explain one possibility of how Norman Bates' mind evolved. Quite progressive for its time.

"Rain Man." Very sentimental, if a bit optimistic. Reminds me of a girl I knew. She has Aspberger's. And yes, Aspies CAN learn humor!

"Fight Club." A bit extreme and stylized, and not necessarily positive. But it's entertaining and powerful.

"What Dreams May Come." No specific diagnosis. Interesting insights, though.

For caricatures, check out the villains from the Batman series. I just finished playing Arkham Asylum on the 360. Fun game.

For an extreme portrayal of "exposure therapy" for facing one's fears, watch the Saw series. Now there's a guy who takes counseling to a whole new level!

"The Silence of the Lambs." Now THAT is how you create a charismatic psychopath (Anthony Hopkins). I should note that mental illness only received a nod and was not the primary focus of the movie. But it was nevertheless there. "Hannibal Rising" dealt more with how the lead character developed. It's not nearly as good as "The Silence of the Lambs." I've never seen "Red Dragon," but it's on my list.

I'm going to watch "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" tonight, with Jack Nicholson. I'll let you know what I think, and also if I remember any more movies.

I hope that other folks will lend their input as well.

PLEASE POST SPOILER WARNINGS!!!

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"One flew over the cuckoo's nest" was great. Not so much in the sense of showing a specific diagnosis. Rather, in the way of showing how "mostly normal" behaviors can become exaggerated in the minds of both the patients and the doctors.

I'm gonna be watching "King of Hearts/Le Roi de coeur" (1967) at some point. Similar premise as "One flew over the cuckoo's nest", but as I recall, a lot less dark.
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/King_of_ ... kid=438381
Damn. I was hoping this would be in the original French, but it seems that Netflix only has the dubbed version.


I'll keep a lookout for other titles, too.

you need to ask permission to do any type of research on the site, if you have then pm me, and this will be moved to the appropriate forum.