A Beautiful Mind

...reviewed for those interested more

in schizophrenia than just a good movie
By Linda Quinet and Peter Weiden, M.D.
Movie critics look at plot, acting, screenplay, costumery, sets and the basic ingredients
that go into a cinematic work of art. Those of us concerned with mental illness will look at
this movie for other things:

Does the movie stigmatize mental illness?

Does it show the symptoms accurately?

Is it too upsetting to see if you have schizophrenia, or someone in your

family has schizophrenia?

For more than 30 years mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. wrestled with paranoid
schizophrenia. It's a compelling story, the perfect vehicle for telling one person's
experience with schizophrenia in a way that that is interesting to the general public.
Although it's an exceptional story because Nash, unlike most of us, received a Nobel
Prize, many universal aspects of the illness are there. Viewers gets a firsthand look at
how ordinary perceptions turn into horrifying nightmares. We can understand how hard it
is to recognize brain malfunctioning. Nash is the last one to realize that his torture is
coming from within his mind rather than from the outside world. The film vividly and
accurately shows the devastation schizophrenia causes in a person's life, the terror of
living through psychotic experiences that are so real, the agony it causes him and his
loved ones, the struggle involved in recovery.
Those in the audience not knowledgeable about brain disorders will still see a good
movie. Actually, the film medium's limitations will be important in the story's overall
popular success. It can't help but oversimplify the complexity of mental illness. Glossed
over are the years of struggle and daily uncertainty. Another example is how Nash's
psychiatrist is always available, no matter what time of day or night. The continued
devotion of Nash's wife shown gazing starry-eyed at Nash as he accepts his Nobel Prize
is as much fantasy to some of us as Nash's delusions. This movieno matter how well
donecan't help but be a cameo appearance in the long-term struggle with the illness.
This cameo just happens to be extremely powerful.
This may be the best depiction of what it's like to be delusional since Mark
Vonnegut's book, The Eden Express. The film does an awesome job dealing with what
the repercussions are for those who love the afflicted personwhether after he is sick or
as they knew him at another time. Russell Crowe is superb as Nash, as is Akiva
Goldsman who did the screenplay. The antisocial person that Nash was comes across
loud and clear as does the shuffle in his walk he develops as a side effect of the
medication.
One fear is that a misconception may result about how treatable schizophrenia is. At the
time of the story, schizophrenia was considered progressively degenerative and
incurable. Nash's psychiatrist is very up front about thisso much so that this could be
an idea that lingers. Nash's own recovery disproves this theory, as he sticks to treatment
and medication and learns to deal with his delusions by doing reality testing. As
advocates, we have to hope that Nash's recovery is a stronger message to the audience

than the mistaken idea in the '60s that schizophrenia is a "deteriorating illness" where "no
one" recovers. John and Alicia Nash wisely rejected this grim prognosis, and their
struggle for recovery is an example of how even severe schizophrenia can get better with
time and proper treatment, along with love and caring from family and community.
Times have changed considerably. We know that with advances in medication and
treatment, many people with schizophrenia go about their lives successfully. Is this
promising too much for someone who is struggling with schizophrenia? The movie was
accurate about schizophrenia in the sense that John Nash's illness was not "cured." His
recovery came when he could control his symptoms instead of his symptoms controlling
him. This film may not be easy for someone with schizophrenia to sit through. It might be
a reminder of past symptoms and traumatic experiences. But, A Beautiful Mind offers
hope and shows how a person can have schizophrenia and still be loved, appreciated
and in the end, live a successful life. No, the illness doesn't go away, but the debilitating
stigmatizing side effect should and can once more is known about mental illnesses. This
movie will help.
One major component in Nash's recovery that perhaps too subtle for the general public to
appreciate is the community that supported him. It is obvious that Nash's friends and
family played an important part in allowing him to recognize and fight off his delusions.
The fact that he was allowed to stay around Princeton, problematic as it was at times,
was instrumental in his ability to gain a grip on reality. All too often, the story line is that
the ill person loses his friends, community, and sense of belonging. The major part the
campus community's acceptance plays in Nash's story is still the exception for most
people struggling with schizophrenia. If what Princeton did for Nash could be done for
more is a powerful message.
Would a schizophrenic person want to see it, or should you encourage him/her to
see it? One consumer who had been in the military and taking a class in mathematics at
the time of onset of his schizophrenia said it brought back strong memories and caused
him to relive certain experiencesnot that they were all badbut it's something to
consider. He does expect to go to the movie again with other consumers. Other
consumers who have seen the movie highly recommend going to see it. It can generate
meaningful discussion about what the person is experiencing versus how the illness was
portrayed in the movie. It's not an issue that should be forced. It's very much an individual
thing. Where is the person in relation to the illness? Usually the person will know whether
he wants to see it or not. Respect that. If in doubt about whether to encourage seeing it,
approach the subject with something like, "I heard about this movie, A Beautiful
Mind about a man who has schizophrenia and how he deals with it. It might be a good
thing to see together. Do you have any interest in going?"
Fortunately, you leave this movie knowing more about schizophrenia than game theory,
the basis for Nash's Nobel Prize. Director Ron Howard does a yeoman's job of blurring
the lines of perceived reality. As we watch the film, we come to experience Nash's
hallucinations from another perspective. As we follow him into psychosis, we can
understand how he got there. We were with him. We stay in tune with Nash's perspective.
The film's laudable accomplishment is that it is entertainment that helps others
understand what it would be like to have schizophrenia.

Famous People and Schizophrenia

There are relatively few famous people with schizophrenia because

schizophrenia is a brain disorder that typically strikes people when they
are quite young - age 17 to 28. People this age typically are too young
to be famous, they are just starting out their professional lives after
completing high school or college.
A recent Nobel Laureate in Economics, John Forbes Nash Jr., has a
lifetime history of Schizophrenia but is now doing very well, as has been
well documented in the book "A Beautiful Mind" and the academy
award-winning movie of the same name.
Many "historical diagnoses" are frequently not entirely certain -- a "good
guess" for schizophrenia includes Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President
Abraham Lincoln. Following is a list of famous people who have been
diagnosed with schizophrenia, or are highly suspected of suffering (or
who had suffered) from schizophrenia.

Tom Harrell, Jazz Musician

Meera Popkin, Broadway Star

John Nash - Mathematician/Nobel Prize Winner

Albert Einstein's son - Eduard Einstein

Dr. James Watson's son (Dr. Watson is co-discover of DNA and

Nobel Prize winner)

Alan Alda's Mother (Alan Alda is the famous TV actor from the
series MASH)

Andy Goram - Scottish Soccer Player/Goal Keeper

Lionel Aldridge - Superbowl-winning Football Player

Peter Green, Guitarist for the band Fleetwood Mac

Syd Barrett of the band Pink Floyd

Alexander "Skip" Spence and Bob Mosley - both members of

the 1960's rock group Moby Grape (and Jefferson Airplane for
Skip Spence)

Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson, of the Austin-based 1960's

group TheThirteenth Floor Elevators

Joe Meek - 1960's British record producer

James Beck Gordon (Jim Gordon) - James Gordon had been,

quite simply, one of the greatest drummers of his time

Charles "Buddy" Bolden - Jazz Musician

Antoin Artaud - Dramatist, Artist

Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln (past-President of

the United States)

Vaclav Nijinsky, Famous Russian Dancer

Jack Kerouac, Author , was diagnosed with Schizophrenia

Tennessee Williams sister Rose Williams had schizophenia

(source:Tennessee WilliamsNotebooks,Edited by Margaret
Bradham Thornton,Yale University Press, 2007)

Tom Harrell
Tom Harrell has been called the John Forbes Nash, Jr. of jazz.
Against considerable odds, Harrell has successfully struggled
with schizophrenia and become one of the most respected
trumpeters and composers of the past 30 years.
o
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The Tom Harrell Web Site

Playing with the Mind - LA Times

A Beautiful Note - CBS News

Tom Harrell Live at the Village Vanguard

Tom Harrell's Music CDs (a sampling)

Wise Children

Sail Away

Live at the Village Vanguard

Paradise (BMG/Bluebird)

Time's Mirror (RCA)

Art of Rhythm (RCA)

Labyrinth (RCA)

Upswing (Chesky)

Passages (Chesky)

Visions (Contemporary)

Form (Contemporary)

Stories(Contemporary)

Meera Popkin, Broadway Star

Meera Popkin, was the star of Cats and Miss Saigon on
Broadway and in London's West End and was diagnosed with
schizophrenia during this time. Her life went from center stage
and limousines to waiting tables at Wendy's, but she's now back
and is doing well. She is married and (as of the interview in the
Infinite Mind radio program below in 2004 suggests) is expecting
a baby soon.

This is Meera Popkin.

She played Ashley in the Las Vegas production of the play
"Starlight Express".
o

Coming Back: Don't Let Your Diagnosis Block Your

Vision (by Meera Popkin) - I was on Broadway-"Cats"; I
was on London's West End-"Miss Saigon" as Miss Saigon;
I was in Andrew Lloyd Webbers' "Starlight Express." Then
in 1997, I was diagnosed with a mild case of
schizophrenia. What me? I couldn't believe it. I have been
told I was a high achiever, earning either an A or A- in all
my classes. In trying to reach my potential, how many
wrong turns did I make in my life to be diagnosed with

such an illness?
Radio Program - The Infinite Mind - including an inverview
of Meera Popkin

John Nash - Mathematician/Nobel Prize Winner

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The Lost Years of a Nobel Laureate (New York Times, 1994)

Interview with John Nash

The Genetics of Schizophrenia - Including Coverage of

John Nash (Google Video)

JOHN NASH: Genius, Nobel and Schizophrenia

NPR Streaming Audio - Recording of Interview with Sylvia

Nasar

NPR:Streaming Audio - Interview with Ron Howard,

Director of "A Beautiful Mind"

Nobel Prize Archive Site w/Info on John Nash - references

to books on his life

Interview, Internet Audio: Interview with John Nash on his

experience with schizophrenia (Real Audio Recording)

Internet Video - Psychiatrist Roberto Gil Discusses

Schizophrenia and Recovery
Roberto Gil, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and
head of the Schizophrenic Research Unit at the New York
State Psychiatric Institute, talks about Mathematician John
Nash's unique case, the common symptoms associated
with schizophrenia and what family members can do to
help. "It's a beautiful outcome but not a typical outcome,"
says Gil.

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The Lost Years of a Nobel Laureate (New York Times, 1994)

Books, Videos and Movies on John Nash

A Beautiful Mind: The Life of Mathematical Genius

and Nobel Laureate John Nash by Sylvia Nasar,
Publisher: Touchstone Books; (November 27, 2001)
ISBN: 0743224574
A Brilliant Madness - The Story of John Nash
John Nash was an eccentric mathematical genius
whose sudden youthful plunge into schizophrenia
could have ended in obscurity or tragedy. Instead,
his 30-year battle against crippling mental disease
ended in triumph--and winning the 1994 Nobel
Prize in economics, as recounted in the blockbuster
2001 film, A Beautiful Mind. This documentary
features interviews with Nash, wife Alicia, friends,
and colleagues. DVD Special Features include
bonus interview with John Nash; out-takes of
schizophrenia; Price: $14.95 Video, $19.95 DVD.
A Beautiful Mind (The Awards Edition) VHSVersion, Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris,
Director: Ron Howard, ASIN: B00005JKQZ
A Beautiful Mind (Widescreen Awards
Edition) DVD-Version, Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed
Harris, Director: Ron Howard, ASIN: B00005JKQZ
Eduard Einstein - Son of Famous physicist Albert Einstein
- Eduard was born in Zurich, Swizerland on the 28th July, 1910 -the second son of Albert Einstein (1879-1955) and Mileva Maric
(1875-1948). Eduard was a sensitive child and was often ill. In
1914 Albert Einstein moved with his family to Berlin. Since Mileva
fell ill in Berlin and the marriage with Albert Einstein was
degenerating, Mileva moved a short time later with her sons back
to Zurich. 1919 the Einstein's divorce was completed. It has been
said that Eduard and particularly his older brother Hans Albert
(1904-1973) suffered much from the separation of their parents.
Eduard, a very good pupil, was particularly noticeable due to his
high intellectual and musical gifts. Despite the separation from
Mileva, Einstein visited his sons and Mileva frequently in Zurich.
In 1929 Eduard began studying medicine and wanted to become
a psychiatrist.
In 1930, at the age of twenty years, Eduard developed

schizophrenia. In 1932 he moved for the first time to the

"Burghoelzli", a psychiatric sanatorium in Zurich.
In the autumn 1933 Albert Einstein and his second wife, Elsa
emigrated to the United States. There he found a new place in
Princeton, New Jersey. In 1938 Eduard's brother, Hans's Albert,
moved with his family to America.
Starting from 1948, after the death of his mother, Eduard lived
continuously in the "Burghoelzli", where he died 1965.
Source: http://www.einstein-website.de/
Alan Alda's Mother had Schizophrenia
The famous actor Alan Alda has recently (late 2005) published an
autobiography in which he talks a great deal about his mother's
schizophrenia. The book is titled:Never Have Your Dog Stuffed :
And Other Things I've Learned (click for book details)
"My mother didn't try to stab my father until I was six," actor and
author Alan Alda writes at the beginning of his autobiography. The
child of a well-known actor, Alda (born Alphonso D'Abruzzo)
spent his early years on the road with a burlesque troupe. The
time spent on the stage wings, watching his father perform, made
a profound impact on the youngster, igniting a desire to entertain
others that has stayed with him his entire life. Just as profound
was his mother's losing battle with mental illness; Alda spent
much of his adult life attempting to reconcile his resentment of
her outbursts and unmanageable behavior coupled with her
unbridled enthusiasm for life and encouragement.
From an Interview in USA Today, November 2005
USA Today: Youre pretty forthcoming in your new
autobiography. What was the hardest part to write?
Alan Alda: I think (it was) really coming to terms with my
mother - you know, because my mother was psychotic -
and having a mother who is schizophrenic and paranoid is
tough. You adjust to it in various ways, and I think one of
the ways I adjusted to it was to step back from it a little bit.
I realized as I was writing about her (that) even though I
had come to terms with her in many ways in my head, I

had kept myself from knowing much about schizophrenia,

because it was kind of painful for me. So while I was
writing the book, I called up scientists I had interviewed on
my science program, Scientific American Frontiers, and I
started learning more about it.
I got a much greater understanding of what she went
through especially the idea that her hallucinations took
place in the same part of her brain that all of our
nightmares take place. I have experienced what she went
through, except I could wake up from it, and she never
could.

Andy Goram - Scottish Soccer Player/Goal Keeper - It has

been reported in the UK Newspapers that Scottish goalkeeper
Andy Goram was playing for Rangers (and more recently as a
sub with the Manchester United FC Soccer club) was diagnosed
with schizophrenia. Goram is regarded as Scotland's top
goalkeeper and among the best in Europe despite the knee
injuries which have dogged him throughout his Rangers career.
His superb reaction saves and bravery have earned him World
Cup recognition since earning his first Scotland cap while an
Oldham Athletic player in 1986.
Lionel Aldridge - Superbowl-winning Football Player
o
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Lost and found - Ex-Packer Aldridge winning life's battle

Lionel's House - a community support center for people
affected by mental illness. Championed by Aldridge's two
daughters, in memory of their father's legacy.

Lionel's House website (Sherwood, WI)

Peter Green, of the band Fleetwood Mac

Peter Green - Back from the Brink

Syd Barrett of the band Pink Floyd

Stories on Syd Barrett's Life:

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Syd Barrett, Passed away on July 7th, 2006 - A story on

his life
Syd Barrett : Careening Throught Life... (story from 1978)

Syd Barret turns 60

Alexander "Skip" Spence, Bob Mosley - both members of the 1960's

rock group Moby Grape (and Jefferson Airplane for Skip Spence). As a
article from Insurgent Country (http://www.insurgentcountry.com)
mentioned in 1998 "Moby Grape's two most innovative songwriters,
Spence and BobMosley, had descended into schizophrenia. Spence is
still under residential care, unable to perform, while Mosley was
homeless in the mid-1990s. But he rejoined the band for its previous
New York show in August 1997."
Roger Kynard "Roky" Erickson, of the Austin-based 1960's group
TheThirteenth Floor Elevators. Around 1967 Erickson was arrested for
drug possession, and locked in a psychiatric hospital for schizophrenia.
When Erickson came out of the psychiatric hospital (1972), he published
a book of poetry. Despite his mental instability, he hit the scene again
during the rush of psychedelic revival and punk-rock, with dark humor
and a taste for the supernatural that carried him away from his origins,
towards a macabre rhythm and blues, with lyrics filled with alarming
monsters.
Joe Meek - 1960's British record producer ("Telstar"). From 1960 until
his premature death six years later, Joe Meek released 245 singles, 45
of which made the Top 50.
James Beck Gordon (Jim Gordon) - James Beck Gordon had been,
quite simply, one of the greatest drummers of his time. In the Sixties and
Seventies he had played with John Lennon, George Harrison, Eric
Clapton, the Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, Judy Collins, Joe Cocker,
Frank Zappa, Duane Allman, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne and Joan
Baez. But the music came to and end as he developed schizophrenia.

Jim Gordon (right) on tour with

Jackson Browne (left), 1978
An Overview of Jim Gordon's Life

Charles "Buddy" Bolden - Schizophrenia at the Root of Jazz

Antonin Artaud - Dramatist, Artist (may have had schizophrenia)

An external Antonin Artaud website

Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln (past-President of the

United States)

Biography of Mary Todd Lincoln

Vaclav Nijinsky, Famous Russian Dancer

Nijinsky Film
Book: 'The Diary Of Vaslav Nijinsky -- The Unexpurgated
Edition' - a review at Salon.com

Nijinsky Ballet Created - "Germany's Hamburg Ballet is

recreating the life of one of the dance world's superstars in

a spectacular work by John Neumeier titled "Nijinsky,"
currently on a national tour.
The two-act, full evening work covers the legendary career
of Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky from his engagement by
impresario Serge Diaghilev for his Ballets Russes in 1909
to his final public performance in 1919, which was followed
by years moving in and out of mental sanitariums until his
death in 1950. There have been other ballets about
Nijinsky, but none is as biographically thorough as
Neumeier's." from UPI Story on this new ballet -Nijinsky
Ballet

Here is another list that someone has developed - the NAMI list of
famous people with mental illness.