Often, watching someone dealing with similar problems gives one a perspective. It externalizes the anxiety and helps to feel less isolated in this experience.
If you struggle with anxiety, watching films about related experiences can help you understand it, see the mechanisms behind it, and hopefully cope. Still, don’t ignore the problem, and if it ever seems like too much, contact a specialist.
Unfortunately, anxiety is a common occurrence among college students. It comes from rapid life changes, stress because of academic overload, and lack of social interaction. If left alone, it can get significantly worse and cause other mental issues. It is important to address it early on by dealing with the problem causing it and resolving the consequences.
For instance, if you feel that anxiety comes from academic overload, you can consult with a college advisor on changing the number of courses. If you are anxious about written assignments, you can choose the best paper writer at WritePaper to get expert help. Professional academic writers can help with editing, proofreading, or writing. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, reach out to friends or relatives you can talk to.
Sometimes, we all need a break. And what can be better than to see other people deal with their problems on a screen? Here’s our list of movies that will make you feel not alone.
Adaptation, 2002
Adaptation is a classic movie written by Charlie Kaufman. It tells the story of a screenwriter that suffers from writer’s block and social anxiety. The main character’s life is fuelled by insecurities and fears.
Charlie Kaufman, portrayed by Nicholas Cage, is a shy and awkward writer battling his low self-esteem and lack of inspiration to write. This film illustrates how contradictory a human mind and life can be. The characters adapt to all circumstances and get out of trouble in the best possible way.
Birdman, 2014
In this movie, Michael Keaton plays a decadent Hollywood actor, Riggan Thomson, who loses his relevance. He feels like his talent and creativity are slipping away, and there is nothing to stop that. He used to portray a superhero at the peak of his career – the Birdman – and now his voice follows Riggan around. It is a haunting and cruel internal critic that is impossible to escape.
The movie is about searching for something new, finding something to fight for. And also about switching between reality and internal struggle.
Girl, Interrupted, 1999
Starring Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie, it is one of the best psychological dramas ever made. The main heroine attempts to commit suicide and fails. Afterwards, she spends more than a year in a psychiatric ward – not the most entertaining place to be.
While being there, she explores what led to that attempt and anxiety lying behind. The overwhelming feeling of non-belonging and wanting to escape is haunting her. She explores coping mechanisms, connects to reality and people, and finds a path to healing.
As Good As It Gets, 1997
Films dealing with mental health do not have to be exclusively dramatic. This one is a romantic comedy starring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.
The protagonist is a well-known writer suffering from OCD and living in New York. His mental state makes fitting into society quite challenging. As a result, he lacks affection and attention.
It is hard to imagine that something might help him, but the “cure” comes in the form of unconditional acceptance.
Lars and The Real Girl, 2007
This is an intimate and moving film about Lars (portrayed by Ryan Gosling) and his relationship with the world.
Lars is a sweet man that deals with a lot of social anxiety and the inability to connect with others. He avoids human contact, conversation, and physical touch.
One day he announces that he is dating Bianca, a sex doll, which he considers real. In a way, it is his shield from the world. But eventually, it becomes a link to connect to it. Despite its mocking concept, the film has an overall positive message and a good ending.
The Aviator, 2004
The movie is a biopic about Howard Hughes, a Hollywood film producer and pioneer of aviation. Leonardo DiCaprio’s stunning performance portrays him in all his entirety: suffering from OCD, anxiety, paranoia, and deep depression.
It is interesting to see how his life unfolds and gets worse until he locks himself in a room for several months. It is important to see the early signs of declining mental health because anxiety can feed off itself and fuel the development of other issues. When not treated, those symptoms only get worse.
The King’s Speech, 2010
A story based on true events and the life of King George IV is a fascinating watch. In the approaching time of World War II, the King has to lead the country. However, he suffers from the anxiety that manifests in fear of public speaking and stuttering. He is always under the high pressure of failure while the whole world is watching.
Colin Firth shows a great performance as the lead character that needs to overcome the illness. By working with a speech therapist and trying out untraditional practices, he learns to defeat the fears and be more confident.
The Black Swan, 2010
This is a well-known piece starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. The dramatic story is about fear of failure, stage fright, and meeting expectations. The heroine struggles to perform as a Black Swan and is daunted by the intrusive thoughts and delusions. This is quite a serious watch with a powerful message.
Amelie, 2011
This one is on the lighter side. It is a beautiful movie about a girl who is fearful of having relationships with real people. She feels like an observer of life and tries to help others in a small and delicate way. But it is quite hard for her to actually connect with people because she is safe in her own little world of escapism. As the plot unfolds, she learns to overcome it and finally help herself.
Silver Lining Playbook, 2012
It is a great example of a story about mental health affecting one’s life. At the same time, it proves that it doesn’t have to break you. The film is both dramatic and comedic, with a romantic plotline. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradly Cooper play the main characters, both of who struggle but try to find a way to connect. This piece is a real critically acclaimed piece of gold, and you need to see it.
Honorable Mentions
Here are some other amazing movies dealing with similar issues to check out:
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 2012;
- Elling, 2001;
- Safe, 1995;
- The Headless Woman, 2008;
- Opening Night, 1977;
- Jacknife, 1989;
- What About Bob? 1991;
- A Fantastic Fear of Everything, 2012;
- Frank, 2014.
In Summary
Cinema is not only about entertainment; it is also about shared experiences and learning. Anxiety can be extremely overwhelming sometimes, and seeing someone else dealing with it can help and bring relief.
Maybe one can find a new way to cope or get better at detecting early signs of a growing problem. Or maybe it is just comforting to know that you are not the only one in this. Many people have dealt with such worries and fears, and there is always a way out.