One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest

The movie chosen to display a form of psychological disorder is “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” The main character in focus is, Randall P. McMurphy who is portrayed by none other than the great Jack Nicholson. The main gist of this movie is about a man in the early 1960’s who thinks he is completely sane, but decides to intentionally act a little of his “rocker” to get out of spending time in the pen. McMurphy is granted a trial period in a psych ward to be evaluated. During this evaluation period, the audience is opened up to a side of Randall that just may make you question whether he is actually sane or not. A seat on a roller coaster is taken while you sit back and enjoy the trials and tribulations that Randall goes through with his newfound friends in the ward. Initially Randall wants nothing more than to find a way to escape and rattle the cage of the head nurse Ms. Rachet, but after spending time and noticing ample opportunities to where Randall can leave, he never does.

There is a hidden disorder being portrayed in Mr. McMurphy, and that is, antisocial personality disorder. Upon entering the ward, one can notice the laid back, care free persona of Mr. McMurphy. All of the other inmates are greeted with a curtious handshake and a smile. One of the most common signs of ASP is the ability of the person to initially act quite friendly and witty (A.D.A.M.). McMurphy portrays that ability to a “T”. Other factors that are also found in people with ASP include: committing crimes frequently, fighting, anger problems, and manipulating peoples emotions (A.D.A.M.). (WEBMD)Those factors are also very clearly seen in Mr. McMurphy’s actions.

As far as one could tell, it appears the portrayal of this disorder in Mr. McMurphy is spot on. There is a scene that portrays almost every symptom concerning ASP. McMurphy is always trying to manipulate the other patients to agree with him so he can get his way, like observing the World Series games on TV. If he does not get his way, he almost always shows signs of intense anger, or an increased effort to pester the person that is not allowing this to happen, in this case, Ms. Rachet. (Satrughna)There might be a slight amount of stress that is being portrayed by McMurphy, but it is not easily seen. One would have to dive deeper into the character itself and questions his upbringing and exactly what sort of bad behaviors caused him to be sent to the psych ward in the first place.

There is no point in the movie where a doctor comes right out and says that Mr. McMurphy is actually suffering from ASP, this is just a conclusion gathered from looking at the symptoms of this particular disorder. Although after a viewing of this movie, and an understanding of ASP symptoms, one could strongly agree with this unofficial diagnosis. (Satrughna)

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