Analysis of Psychological Disorders in the movie: Girl, Interrupted
The movie ‘Girl, Interrupted’ is largely based on the memoir of the same name written by
Susanna Kaysen. The film chronicles almost two years of Susanna’s life spent in the women’s
wing in Claymore psychiatric hospital in the late 1960s, following a suicide attempt, detailing
her interactions and relationships with the other women in her ward. In the film, the protagonist,
Susanna, is given a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, while the antagonist, Lisa,
diagnosed as a Sociopath, i.e. Antisocial Personality Disorder. Apart from this, only Georgina
specifically states that she is diagnosed with Pseudologia Fantastica—Pathological Lying. No
other diagnosed illnesses are specified by name, but many symptoms are portrayed which
indicate that the following disorders were all mentioned in the movie.
● Borderline Personality Disorder
● Antisocial Personality Disorder
● Anorexia Nervosa
● Bulimia Nervosa
● Obsession part of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
● Pathological Lying
● Substance Abuse Disorder: There was not enough criteria/evidence to diagnose this fully,
but most of the residents of Claymore were smokers, including Susanna Kaysen, Lisa
Rowe, Janet Webber, Daisy Randone and even the psychiatrist, Dr. Wick. It is a recurring
theme throughout the movie and it is rare that one or the other person is seen without a
cigarette in their hands.
, ANALYSIS OF EACH CHARACTER AND SPECIFIC DISORDERS:
A. SUSANNA KAYSEN: BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER with SUBSTANCE
ABUSE, SUICIDAL IDEATION AND SELF-HARMING TENDENCIES
Diagnostic Criteria for BPD acc. to DSM-V:
Instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity
present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
• Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
• Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships
• Identity disturbance
• Impulsivity
• Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior
• Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood
• Chronic feelings of emptiness
• Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger
• Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms
Symptoms observed:
1. In the beginning of the movie, Susanna is wheeled into the emergency ward at the
hospital because she has tried to commit suicide by ingesting a bottle of aspirin
followed by a bottle of vodka. There is also indication of self-harm – the marks on
her wrists. At the point when the attendant attempts to hold her, she says to be
careful because she has no bones in her grasp. Apart from that, she is very drawn
to the idea of suicide – she discusses it with Toby, very shortly after meeting him.
The movie ‘Girl, Interrupted’ is largely based on the memoir of the same name written by
Susanna Kaysen. The film chronicles almost two years of Susanna’s life spent in the women’s
wing in Claymore psychiatric hospital in the late 1960s, following a suicide attempt, detailing
her interactions and relationships with the other women in her ward. In the film, the protagonist,
Susanna, is given a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, while the antagonist, Lisa,
diagnosed as a Sociopath, i.e. Antisocial Personality Disorder. Apart from this, only Georgina
specifically states that she is diagnosed with Pseudologia Fantastica—Pathological Lying. No
other diagnosed illnesses are specified by name, but many symptoms are portrayed which
indicate that the following disorders were all mentioned in the movie.
● Borderline Personality Disorder
● Antisocial Personality Disorder
● Anorexia Nervosa
● Bulimia Nervosa
● Obsession part of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
● Pathological Lying
● Substance Abuse Disorder: There was not enough criteria/evidence to diagnose this fully,
but most of the residents of Claymore were smokers, including Susanna Kaysen, Lisa
Rowe, Janet Webber, Daisy Randone and even the psychiatrist, Dr. Wick. It is a recurring
theme throughout the movie and it is rare that one or the other person is seen without a
cigarette in their hands.
, ANALYSIS OF EACH CHARACTER AND SPECIFIC DISORDERS:
A. SUSANNA KAYSEN: BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER with SUBSTANCE
ABUSE, SUICIDAL IDEATION AND SELF-HARMING TENDENCIES
Diagnostic Criteria for BPD acc. to DSM-V:
Instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity
present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
• Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
• Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships
• Identity disturbance
• Impulsivity
• Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior
• Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood
• Chronic feelings of emptiness
• Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger
• Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms
Symptoms observed:
1. In the beginning of the movie, Susanna is wheeled into the emergency ward at the
hospital because she has tried to commit suicide by ingesting a bottle of aspirin
followed by a bottle of vodka. There is also indication of self-harm – the marks on
her wrists. At the point when the attendant attempts to hold her, she says to be
careful because she has no bones in her grasp. Apart from that, she is very drawn
to the idea of suicide – she discusses it with Toby, very shortly after meeting him.
