Welcome all to the Drop in Center

Eureka

By James Saltsman

March 12, 2007

 

 

            A Beautiful Mind is the inspiring and poignant true story about John Nash, a mathematical genius in search of a truly original idea. More importantly, it’s how he eventually recognized he had schizophrenia and applied his own coping skills to block out his delusions while ignoring his doctor’s orders (NOT recommended). Without the support and love of his life, his wife, Alicia, he may have become a ‘statistic’.

            Nash’s decades long fight against his ‘demons’ was at a time when psychotropic medication and therapy/ counseling were very primitive. His astonishing journey paid off in 1994 when he received the Nobel Prize for his Game Theory (the mysterious science dealing with the mathematics of competition) which influences economics and various fields to this day.

            For those unaware of mental illnesses, this is the film to see. Viewing this picture once may not be enough due to the fact that the plot may seem illogical. This movie is not only logical but is ingeniously structured from the opening credits to the epilogue.

            The story, like the symptoms of schizophrenia, may seem confusing and misleading unless you or someone you know has this tragic disease. The filmmakers succeeded on many aspects-most notably, they made a major motion picture which was shown throughout the world and gives other mental health consumers afflicted with mental illnesses hope. If one viewer of the film leaves the theater knowing he or she needs ‘help’ and pursues it, then the filmmakers have achieved their goal.

            The first half of the story (based on the book by Sylvia Nasar and adapted to the screen by Akiva Goldsman) is told through John’s experiences. The second half of this Best Picture winner (2002 Academy Awards) we painfully watch Alicia’s horrifying realization-via Dr. Rosen’s psychiatric evaluation of Nash-that John has schizophrenia. At the midpoint of the film we’re thrown for a loop. Do we (the audience) trust what Dr. Rosen has to say or is he really a Cold War spy posing as a doctor, like John so adamantly thinks? This adds a whole new shape to the stirring climax.

            James “Titanic” Horner composed a somewhat lackluster music score-especially in regard to his previous opuses. Charlotte Church provides her unnecessary angelic vocals throughout the films score. I think this is the most important and recognizable flaw in the picture. Director Ron Howard was thinking with his ‘pockets’ instead of his mind and heart. You would think that a biopic about a genius would call for some classical music. I wonder what music, if any, Mr. Nash listens to. One probable answer: Not Charlotte Church.

            Russell Crowe gives a multi-dimensional performance not seen since Dustin Hoffman’s, Raymond Babbitt, in Rain Man. Jennifer Connelly knows her craft well. She gives an emotional and empathetic turn as Alicia Nash. Three other ‘characters’ who play a vital role are in John’s mind. The orders in which they appear during the linear story are as follows: Charles (John’s prodigal roommate at Princeton) played by the colorful Paul Bettany. Parcher, played by Ed Harris, works for the Department of Defense trying to break Cold War Codes with John’s invaluable assistance. Charles’s kin, Marcee, is performed by Vivien Cardone, a tyro thespian. Finally, the supporting cast includes actors Christopher Plummer, Adam Goldberg and Josh Lucas.

We haven’t been posting too many blogs lately . Mainly because time has been cut down for the instructor that attends to the drop in center. We will get better and more people will get in volved with writing to this blog. That I promise. I will for now keep it a place for advancement of mental health. Come and Join us celebrate living healthy lives .

Experiencing feelings
can be a challenge if we’ve had no previous experience or permission to do that.
Learning to identify what we’re feeling is a challenge we can meet, but we will
not become experts overnight. Nor do we have to deal with our feelings
perfectly. Here are some ideas that might be helpful as you learn to
recognize and deal with feelings:

Take out a sheet of paper. On the top
of it write, “If it was okay to feel whatever I’m feeling, and I wouldn’t be
judged as bad or wrong, what would I be feeling?” Then write whatever comes to
mind. You can also use the favorite standby of many people in discovering their
feelings: writing or journaling. You can keep a diary, write letters you don’t
intend to send, or just scribble thoughts onto a note pad.

Watch and
listen to yourself as an objective third person might. Listen to your tone of
voice and the words you use. What do you hear? Sadness, fear, anger, happiness?

What is your body telling you? Is it tense and rigid with anger? Running
with fear? Heavy with sadness and grief? Dancing with joy?

Talking to
people in recovery helps too. Going to meetings helps. Once we feel safe, many
of us find that we open up naturally and with ease to our feelings.

We
are on a continual treasure hunt in recovery. One of the treasures we’re seeking
is the emotional part of ourselves. We don’t have to do it perfectly. We need
only be honest, open, and willing to try. Our emotions are there, waiting to
share themselves with us.

Today, I will watch myself and listen to
myself as I go through my day. I will not judge myself for what I’m feeling; I
will accept myself.

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