Analysis: A Beautiful Mind

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Recommended: The Calgary family assessment model

The film A Beautiful Mind demonstrates the catastrophic effects schizophrenia can have on a family through depicting the interactions of John Nash, a man who develops this illness, and his wife, Alicia. Since the impact of schizophrenia can be so devastating, nursing interventions should focus on asking interventive questions as well as commending the family’s efforts because these actions can promote strength, enroot positive experiences, and allow for problems to be seen in a new way fostering the discovery of solutions. This author will analyze the film focusing on the physical, psychological, and social impact the chronic illness of schizophrenia has on the family. Then, this author will assess the family utilizing the Calgary Family Assessment Model and discuss the chosen interventions from the Calgary Family Intervention Model.
Description of the Impacts
Throughout the film as well as the scholarly literature, it was evident that the chronic illness of schizophrenia has a physical, psychological, and social toll on the family.
Physical
During the course of John’s diagnosis and treatment, Alicia constantly appears stressed, which could be related to the increased level of burden that occurs when an individual takes on the role of caregiver (Chan, 2011). As the film progresses, Alicia appears more and more fatigued as the stress of her situation continues to take a toll on her body. Stress, coupled with fatigue, is common occurrence in family members of the chronically ill (Spencely, 2010).
Psychological
Alicia experiences a variety of emotions while dealing with her husband and his illness. Fear is one of the most prominent feelings she portrays through both her facial expressions and behaviour, especially when Joh...

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...it can promote strength (Chan, 2011). In addition to providing a positive experience, commending offers the family a different opinion of themselves which can lead to the conditions for change as well as allow for the discovery of solutions (Wright & Leahey, 2013, “The Calgary Family Intervention Model”).
Conclusion
The film A Beautiful Mind depicts the physical, psychological and social impacts the chronic illness of schizophrenia can have on a family. Unfortunately, these impacts do not only occur on screen but can also happen to families going through similar situations in the real world. When working with these families, the interventions of commending and asking interventive questions are important as they can allow the nurse to assist the family in discovering solutions, help them to have a positive experience, as well as to remind them of their strength.

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