A Beautiful Mind Movie

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The movie, “A Beautiful Mind” is based on events and life of John Nash. The movie begins with John Nash arriving at Princeton University to hone his mathematical skills. During his time at Princeton we learn John is incredibly smart but lacking in the social department. After graduating from Princeton he is offered and accepts a potion with MIT as a Department of Defense contractor. With his new position as a DoD contractor and teacher he eventually meets his future wife in one of his classes. As the movie progresses we see John’s schizophrenia progress to the point he ends up in a mental institution to receive advanced psychiatric care. It’s at this time we learn the Charles, his roommate in school was actually a hallucination the entire time. We also learn that William, his top secret case manager for the government, is also a hallucination. Finally we learn that Charles’ niece was a hallucination. Eventually John gets a hold of his illness with treatment, medicine, and a loving wife and he is able to return home. He remains healthy fro sometime but eventually relapses back to his life as a code breaker for the government. He and his wife refuse treatment this time and decide they will deal with his illness without the help of medication.

Background History

Family
John Nash grew up in West Virginia with his mother and father, both of whom passed away when John was 20 years old. Growing up, John was an only child and had shown no signs of schizophrenia other than a lack in social skills. His parents had attributed his lack of social skills to his superior intelligence to all other children his age.
John meets Alicia, his wife, while teaching at MIT. Alicia, aware of John’s lack of social skills, made th...

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... the United States. This need to belong to something important is what brought William into his life.

Prognosis
It is in my professional opinion that John will react positively to his treatment if he: 1) maintains a positive relationship with his wife and child, 2) remains an important member of the mathematics community, and 3) understands he cannot communicate with his hallucinations, though they will always be present.
John is fortunate to have a strong family life, particularly his wife who has been through so much with him. Alicia is the most important part of John’s recovery. As with most schizophrenic patients, it is their immediate surroundings that will lead to their positive treatment. With John’s new role of importance at Princeton and a family that loves him and supports him he has a better chance then most to live a normal life.

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