Treatment FAQ

a beautiful mind what was the treatment used

by Imogene Trantow Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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While in a mental institution, Nash is treated with insulin coma therapy, in which patients are given insulin to induce a comatose state that lasts about 15 to 60 minutes. The results, as shown in the movie, are horrific. The treatment has been discredited and is no longer used.Jan 17, 2002

What is the best treatment for a Beautiful Mind?

The old treatments such as insulin shock, electric shock and psychoanalysis were still very popular but there was also great hope being placed in a new family of drugs called antipsychotics which, early trials had demonstrated, could help to relieve the hallucinations and delusions experienced by people with paranoid HOW DOES A Beautiful Mind end?

How did they treat Nash in a Beautiful Mind?

While in a mental institution, Nash is treated with insulin coma therapy, in which patients are given insulin to induce a comatose state that lasts about 15 to 60 minutes. The results, as shown in the movie, are horrific. The treatment has been discredited and is no longer used. Regarding this, is A Beautiful Mind accuracy on schizophrenia?

What can we learn from a Beautiful Mind?

More favorable risk and protective factors and better neurocognitive skills are associated with longer periods of recovery (Harrow, et al, 2012). A Beautiful Mind is a well-crafted film portraying the intricacies and realities of living with paranoid schizophrenia to broad audience.

What is a Beautiful Mind Movie about?

The film A Beautiful Mind chronicles the adult life of John Nash Jr., a Nobel Prize recipient widely regarded as a brilliant mathematician who greatly influenced modern economic theory. The film focuses on Nash’s decades long struggle with paranoid schizophrenia after he receives a diagnosis in 1958.

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How is John treated in A Beautiful Mind?

John is ordered to under insulin shock therapy and take medication on the side to help cure his debilitating schizophrenia. These shock therapy sessions are very violent and required restraints to hold him down while watched by a team of nurses and doctors.

What was John's diagnosis in A Beautiful Mind?

Mathematician John Nash, who died May 23 in a car accident, was known for his decades-long battle with schizophrenia—a struggle famously depicted in the 2001 Oscar-winning film "A Beautiful Mind." Nash had apparently recovered from the disease later in life, which he said was done without medication.

What was the disease in A Beautiful Mind?

A Beautiful Mind depicts the real-life story of mathematician and noble prize winner John Nash. While navigating the normal course of life, Nash is diagnosed with paranoid Schizophrenia, a mental illness where one experiences a series of splits from reality and paranoia.

What treatments are used for schizophrenia?

A psychiatrist experienced in treating schizophrenia usually guides treatment....Second-generation antipsychoticsAripiprazole (Abilify)Asenapine (Saphris)Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)Cariprazine (Vraylar)Clozapine (Clozaril, Versacloz)Iloperidone (Fanapt)Lurasidone (Latuda)Olanzapine (Zyprexa)More items...•

What did Nash hallucinate?

The psychosis is presented as organized visual hallucinations with Mr. Nash seeing an imaginary roommate, a formidable, police-type spymaster, and a child.

How did John Nash get diagnosed with schizophrenia?

The psychiatrists treating Nash came to an early conclusion and gave him a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia based on his very complex system of delusions which were both grandiose and persecutory.

What causes schizophrenia?

The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.

What age did John Nash get schizophrenia?

This article focuses on John Nash, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994, and subject of the Award winning 2001 film A Beautiful Mind, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1958 at the age of 29.

What are symptoms of Nash schizophrenia?

Nash displays many characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, delusions, fear of persecution, and lack of interpersonal relationships.

What is the main drug used to treat schizophrenia?

Haloperidol, fluphenazine, and chlorpromazine are known as conventional, or typical, antipsychotics and have been used to treat schizophrenia for years. However, they sometimes have movement-related side effects, such as tremors and dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions.

Can you treat schizophrenia without medication?

New study challenges our understanding of schizophrenia as a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment. A new study shows that 30 per cent of patients with schizophrenia manage without antipsychotic medicine after ten years of the disease, without falling back into a psychosis.

What is the first line treatment for schizophrenia?

Antipsychotic medications are the first-line medication treatment for schizophrenia. They have been shown in clinical trials to be effective in treating symptoms and behaviors associated with the disorder. However, antipsychotic medications have significant side effects.

What is the book "A Beautiful Mind" based on?

A human drama inspired by events in the life of John Forbes Nash Jr., and in part based on the biography "A Beautiful Mind" by Sylvia Nasar. From the heights of notoriety to the depths of depravity, John Forbes Nash Jr. experienced it all. A mathematical genius, he made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a painful and harrowing journey of self-discovery.

What was John Nash's illness?

Mathematician John Nash, who died May 23 in a car accident, was known for his decades-long battle with schizophrenia—a struggle famously depicted in the 2001 Oscar-winning film "A Beautiful Mind." Nash had apparently recovered from the disease later in life, which he said was done without medication.

Why did the Egyptians recommend that people with mental illness participate in recreational activities?

Similarly, the Egyptians recommended that those stricken with mental illness should participate in “recreational activities” in order to relieve symptoms which displayed that, as a civilization, the Egyptians were very advanced in their treatment of mental handicaps. (Foerschner)

What was the first non-sedative drug?

The first non-sedative drug used in the treatment of patients was chlorpromazine which “cured” many mental ailments and patients “became free of symptoms entirely and returned to functional lives” (Drake).

What did Hippocrates do to restore the body's balance?

In order to restore the body’s balance, the Greeks used techniques such as phlebotomies, bloodletting, purging, and imposing diets on the afflicted (Foerschner).One treatment that Hippocrates advocated was changing the occupation and/or environment of the patient.

How did demonic possession heal?

The most commonly believed cause, demonic possession, was treated by chipping a hole, or “trephine”, into the skull of the patient by which “the evil spirits would be released,” therefore healing the patient.

Why did the Persians practice cleanliness?

Although ancient Persians also believed that the illnesses were caused by demons, they practiced precautionary measures such as personal hygiene and “purity of the mind and body” in order to “prevent and protect one from diseases”.

What is the stigma attached to mental illness?

Historically, those with mental illnesses had a “social stigma” attached to them. It was believed that “a mentally ill member implies a hereditary, disabling condition in the bloodline” threatening the family’s “identity as an honorable unit”. In countries, or cultures, that had strong ties to family honor, such as China and Japan ...

What are the four essential fluids that are responsible for mental illness?

These imbalances were in the “four essential fluids”; blood, phlegm, bile, and black bile which produce “unique personalities of individuals.”.

What is the movie A Beautiful Mind about?

The film A Beautiful Mind chronicles the adult life of John Nash Jr., a Nobel Prize recipient widely regarded as a brilliant mathematician who greatly influenced modern economic theory. The film focuses on Nash’s decades long struggle with paranoid schizophrenia after he receives a diagnosis in 1958. Although it is well known that Nash was ...

What is Nash treated for in the movie?

In the film, Nash is treated with deep insulin shock therapy (DIST) in the psychiatric hospital when he is first admitted.

Is Nash a psychotic person?

Nash experiences a psychotic break from reality during his tenure at MIT and the Rand Corporation, however there were early signs of his illness during his time at Princeton. Nash’s character is clearly functional he has an exceptionally high IQ and is pursuing a difficult math degree at a prestigious institution. However, Nash experiences difficulty working with others and following social norms. When he feels like his intellect is not understood by one of his advisors he throws a desk out of his dorm window. Meeting and dating women do not come easy to Nash either. His flat affect and inappropriately direct tone with several women earn him a few slaps across the face. He has difficulty making eye contact and has detectable psychomotor retardation. At this point in the film Nash comes across as an eccentric but lovable genius, but his early symptoms are consistent with, and foretelling of, his later diagnosis.

Did Nash have schizophrenia?

Although it is well known that Nash was diagnosed with schizophrenia in real life, I will use this paper to discuss specific symptoms portrayed in the film, and consider how his treatment and environment contributed to his relative recovery later in life. In the film, we follow Nash’s long decent and subsequent recovery from schizophrenia as it ...

What is the movie A Beautiful Mind about?

The movie portrays the symptoms and treatment for paranoid schizophrenia from which John Nash suffers.

Why should we use realistic films like A Beautiful Mind?

Realistic films such as A Beautiful Mind should advertise the newer modes of treatment that will reduce the suffering of the people and allow them to lead happy lives. I would recommend that this powerful medium be used to create awareness amongst common people so that the patients of schizophrenia are not discriminated against and their disorders can be stemmed at the initial stages.

What is the schizophrenia in A Beautiful Mind?

In the movie, A Beautiful Mind, the protagonist, demonstrates the classical symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. The protagonist, John Nash, suffered from schizophrenia which was only discovered at a later stage. During his college years at Princeton, John’s room-mate and best-friend was a man named Charles, who is later found out to be one of John’s hallucinations (A Beautiful Mind 2001). As time goes by, his hallucinations become more frequent and violent as he soon believes himself to be working for the US government on a top secret project to which no one, not even his wife had access to. When he started missing classes a psychiatrist was called in to look into his condition and he found the stay at the asylum unpleasant and believed it to be a Soviet plan to stop him from working on his secret governmental mission. His wife had trouble believing the psychiatrist at first as she believed her husband’s story to be true and very real. But she realized the problem when she went to his college to find out what he used to do during work and found magazine clippings pasted all over the room. She also discovered the unopened confidential envelopes that were supposed to be sent out to Mr. Parcher, the person who put John up to the secret mission. The story revolves around how John has to face reality when his make-belief world is so real to him. He can finally confront his reality when he realizes that Charles’ niece, Marcee, never grew any older than when he had first met her. With continual medication, he learns to ignore the fictional characters in his life and starts to teach again, at Princeton. He goes on to win the Nobel Prize in Economics and lives a happier life.

What is Nash's treatment?

The major part of Nash’s treatment included Dr. Rosen’s recommendation of insulin shock therapy, which is a conventional method of treating mental illness and is now considered to be outdated and antipsychotic drugs . The insulin coma therapy and convulsive therapy have now been replaced by antipsychotic drugs that have greater efficacy and lesser adverse effects. Antipsychotic drugs are tranquilizing medicines that are used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. The first generation of anti-psychotic drugs included clozapine (Monson 2008) which acted on the receptor sites of neurotransmitter, dopamine.

Why do people with schizophrenia have to be driven to self-mutilation?

Another significant point to be remembered in this regard is that the person suffering from schizophrenia is often driven to desperate acts like self-mutilation because the people they trust do not believe them and sometimes reject them outright. This, to my mind, adds insult to injury because the need to be heard and understood is very high in people who are confused and trying to grapple with their own demons.

How to help a person with schizophrenia?

Basic skills that need to be reinforced with a person suffering from schizophrenia should include: 1 Training for rehabilitation like being able to perform basic hygiene routine and being able to eat on one’s own 2 Being able to use public transport 3 Train for a job: basic skills and communication 4 Learn how to manage money 5 When to take correct doses of medicines 6 How to recognize signs of relapse and communicate with the therapist.

How often does Nash have to undergo shock therapy?

Nash had to undergo this kind of therapy five times a week for duration of ten weeks. In the conventional mode of treatment, it was thought that convulsions were a way to prevent occurrence of schizophrenia. Hence, this method of treatment was used on patients to induce convulsion and electroconvulsive was often used to protect the patient from personality disorders. In modern times, doctors use anesthesia and varieties of muscle-relaxants to this therapy more bearable.

What is the psychology of a beautiful mind?

The psychology in A Beautiful Mind (the movie) provides a valuable lesson for the practice of self awareness by ordinary people. Artistically differing from the actual events, it is a film, which convincingly uses the visual medium to portray stress and mental illness within one person's mind.

How did Libet study the brain?

Each time, Libet had also timed the beginning of motor neuron activity in the brains of his subjects. He discovered that awareness occurred 350 milliseconds AFTER the beginning of motor activity. Nash was merely a witness to the events occurring in his mind. If Nash was to heal himself, his PFR had to understand that a delusional state of mind had already taken control.

Why do reptilian brains exist?

They happen, because the control of your mind shifts between myriad competing and conflicting intelligences. These intelligences were assembled over millions of years to become the present triune human brain. At the lowest level, a reptilian brain controls primitive functions like breathing, hunger and heartbeat.

How to prevent relapse into old habits?

The irrational impulses they trigger need to be acknowledged. Physical and mental exercises, which calm the mind, are necessary to prevent a relapse into old habits. But, only self awareness can inform you, when you relapse into your old habits. Psychology In A Beautiful Mind.

What is conscious awareness?

Conscious awareness of mental events follow their actual occurrence in the mind.

Did Nash have hallucinations?

Nash realized that although all three people seemed completely real, they were in fact a part of his hallucinations. The human mind has small emotional partitions and an immensely wise PFR, the prefrontal intelligence. PFR normally accepts emotional viewpoints as the truth. It is self awareness, which enables PFR to look down into the emotional partitions of the mind. In meditation, the Buddhists advise “staring back” at your thoughts.

What is the movie A Beautiful Mind about?

The movie A Beautiful Mind is an adaptation of the book by the same name and is a biopic based on the life of Nobel Prize winning economist, John Forbes Nash, Jr. The movie portrays the symptoms and treatment for paranoid schizophrenia from which John Nash suffers. He has episodes of auditory and visual hallucinations and has frequent interactions ...

Why should we use realistic films like A Beautiful Mind?

Realistic films such as A Beautiful Mind should advertise the newer modes of treatment that will reduce the suffering of the people and allow them to lead happy lives. I would recommend that this powerful medium be used to create awareness amongst common people so that the patients of schizophrenia are not discriminated against and their disorders can be stemmed at the initial stages.

What is the protagonist's schizophrenia in A Beautiful Mind?

In the movie, A Beautiful Mind, the protagonist, demonstrates the classical symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. The protagonist, John Nash, suffered from schizophrenia which was only discovered at a later stage.

What is Nash's treatment?

The major part of Nash’s treatment included Dr. Rosen’s recommendation of insulin shock therapy , which is a conventional method of treating mental illness and is now considered to be outdated and antipsychotic drugs (Mayo Clinic Staff 2010). The insulin coma therapy and convulsive therapy have now been replaced by antipsychotic drugs that have greater efficacy and lesser adverse effects. Antipsychotic drugs are tranquilizing medicines that are used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. The first generation of anti-psychotic drugs included clozapine (Monson 2008) which acted on the receptor sites of neurotransmitter, dopamine.

How do nurses help patients with hallucinations?

Nurses can also help the client to recognize hallucina tions and talk about the hallucinations dispassionately. Nurses are also in the unique position of being trusted by the patients whom they can reassure by telling them that there are other patients who have similar symptoms (Nursing Care Plan 2010). A patient is more likely to receive a nurse’s recommendations for treatment more seriously than family members and help the patients to recover more quickly.

How to treat schizophrenia?

Early detection and intervention are the best ways to treat schizophrenia. However, patients suffering from schizophrenia need long term treatment. Advancements made in the field of psychotherapy, psychiatry, medicine, intervention, nursing practices in mental health and awareness in society can combat schizophrenia effectively.

Why do people with schizophrenia have to be driven to self-mutilation?

Another significant point to be remembered is that persons with schizophrenia are often driven to desperate acts like self-mutilation (Challis 2010) because the people they trust do not believe them and sometimes reject them outright. This, to my mind, adds insult to injury because the need to be heard and understood is very high in people who are confused and trying to grapple with their own demons.

What is the movie A Beautiful Mind about?

The movie A Beautiful Mind is an adaptation of the book by the same name and is a biopic based on the life of Nobel Prize winning economist, John Forbes Nash, Jr. The movie portrays the symptoms and treatment for paranoid schizophrenia from which John Nash suffers. He has episodes of auditory and visual hallucinations and has frequent interactions ...

Why should we use realistic films like A Beautiful Mind?

Realistic films such as A Beautiful Mind should advertise the newer modes of treatment that will reduce the suffering of the people and allow them to lead happy lives. I would recommend that this powerful medium be used to create awareness amongst common people so that the patients of schizophrenia are not discriminated against and their disorders can be stemmed at the initial stages.

What is the protagonist's schizophrenia in A Beautiful Mind?

In the movie, A Beautiful Mind, the protagonist, demonstrates the classical symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. The protagonist, John Nash, suffered from schizophrenia which was only discovered at a later stage.

How to treat schizophrenia?

Early detection and intervention are the best ways to treat schizophrenia. However, patients suffering from schizophrenia need long term treatment. Advancements made in the field of psychotherapy, psychiatry, medicine, intervention, nursing practices in mental health and awareness in society can combat schizophrenia effectively.

How do nurses help patients with hallucinations?

Nurses can also help the client to recognize hallucina tions and talk about the hallucinations dispassionately. Nurses are also in the unique position of being trusted by the patients whom they can reassure by telling them that there are other patients who have similar symptoms (Nursing Care Plan 2010). A patient is more likely to receive a nurse’s recommendations for treatment more seriously than family members and help the patients to recover more quickly.

What was John Nash's strange behavior?

John Nash had strange mannerisms and his odd behavior put some of his students and friends off (A Beautiful Mind 2001). His constant writing of formulae on window panes and wearing his knitted hat at all times seemed out of place and caused his friends to ridicule him. The incident of his being dared to speak to an unknown girl and her slapping him for his effort caused him to become the brunt of his friends’ jokes. There was an incident with his teacher who was worried about Nash’s performance in Princeton but that was later transformed to appreciation because of the brilliance of his project.

Why do people with schizophrenia have to be driven to self-mutilation?

Another significant point to be remembered is that persons with schizophrenia are often driven to desperate acts like self-mutilation (Challis 2010) because the people they trust do not believe them and sometimes reject them outright. This, to my mind, adds insult to injury because the need to be heard and understood is very high in people who are confused and trying to grapple with their own demons.

What is the purpose of the movie A Beautiful Mind?

Throughout the film ‘A Beautiful Mind’, director Ron Howard successfully manipulates a range of film techniques throughout the biographical drama to assist in developing understandings on powerful ideas about mental illness. Through the depiction of central character, John Nash’s anguish, Howard aims to educate responders ...

How is tension built in the Delusions scene?

Tension is built at the beginning of the “delusions” scene by the use of pathetic fallacy and oblique camera angles as John walks through the door with his son creating a sense foreboding, suspense and danger ultimately engaging responders.

What is Nash's peculiar view of the world?

Howard highlights that Nash’s peculiar view of the world is shown to contribute to his social isolation. Dialogue confirms that Nash is different, socially inept and arrogant through his biting accusation towards fellow scholarship winner, Hansen, of ‘getting used to miscalculation’.

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Works Cited

  • Dain, Norman, PhD. “The Chronic Mental Patient in 19th-Century America.”Psychiatric Annals 10.9 (1980): 11,15,19,22. ProQuest. Web. 25 Sep. 2014. Drake, Robert E., et al. “The History of Community Mental Health Treatment and Rehabilitation for Persons with Severe Mental Illness.”Community mental health journal 39.5 (2003): 427-40. ProQuest. Web. 25 Sep. 2014. Fo…
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