{"id":6735,"date":"2021-06-16T20:40:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T17:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mentalhealthforromania.org\/3-seriale-pe-netflix-pe-care-le-poti-urmari-pentru-a-intelege-mai-bine-ce-inseamna-afectiunile-psihice\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T14:18:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T11:18:30","slug":"3-seriale-pe-netflix-pe-care-le-poti-urmari-pentru-a-intelege-mai-bine-ce-inseamna-afectiunile-psihice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mentalhealthforromania.org\/en\/mental-health-care\/3-seriale-pe-netflix-pe-care-le-poti-urmari-pentru-a-intelege-mai-bine-ce-inseamna-afectiunile-psihice\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Netflix shows you can watch to better understand mental illness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After my first time in a psychiatric hospital, I was always curious to know and understand as much as possible about what it means to have and live with a mental illness, to see other people or characters who are going or have gone through something similar, to be able to find comfort and solace in the fact that I am not the only one who is facing such conditions, especially in a society where this subject has always been taboo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The desire to see myself represented in books, on television or in films has never gone away and I don’t think it should. The curiosity of seeing characters living with mental illness accurately portrayed was a way for me to accept the fact that I have a mental illness. These representations matter a lot, both for those living with mental illness and for those who do not have these conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental illness should no longer be used as a tool of intrigue. Portrayals of mental illness in films or TV shows were often used to create stories for villains. The social stigma surrounding mental illness, such as schizophrenia, PTSD or bipolar disorder, often stems from inaccurate representations in the media. What’s most tragic about these portrayals is their contribution to a cultural attitude of stigmatisation, misunderstanding and fear, to totally erroneous beliefs and perceptions that have nothing to do with reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, I believe it is very important to have main characters and stories that expose real, concrete events and descriptions of mental illnesses. In my quest to find such resources, I discovered 3 shows on Netflix that, in my personal experience, do a great job of exposing the lives of people with various mental illnesses: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend \u2013 borderline personality disorder (BPD)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\"Crazy\n\n\n\n

Trailer: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9eKnMzilZfY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BPD<\/strong> is a disorder characterised by rapid mood swings, extreme fear of abandonment, unstable self-identity, self-destructive behaviours and anxiety. A media representation of these behaviours is the protagonist of the comedy show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plot revolves around Rebecca Bunch, played by Rachel Bloom, an intelligent, attractive and successful lawyer, who impulsively gives up her almost perfect life in New York to pursue her high school boyfriend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The show describes her dysfunctional relationship with her parents, her struggle with anxiety and depression, as well as the romantic relationships surrounding them. Moreover, the last season of the show describes how Rebecca finally receives the correct diagnosis and begins therapy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The title alludes to how the main character’s boundaries and actions are often described as \u201ccrazy\u201d, and the story aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illnesses, especially that of borderline personality disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Atypical \u2013 autism spectrum disorder (ASD)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\"Atypical\n\n\n\n

Trailer: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ieHh4U-QYwU<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atypical is a comedy show that focuses on Sam, an 18-year-old high school student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD<\/strong>), a developmental disorder characterised by restricted, repetitive behaviours and deficits in social interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The show describes the clinical symptoms of this disorder through Sam’s recurrent anxiety attacks in the context of his sister’s transfer to another school, sensory overload, his brain being overwhelmed with too much information, and his rejection by other classmates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with autism are usually described as having an interest in maths or science-related fields, so it is refreshing<\/em> to see how Sam finds joy in an artistic and creative activity, illustrations. This relaxing hobby, repeatedly used to cope with his anxiety, evolves into a true talent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, Atypical shows that people with autism can achieve a high level of independence, even without the supervision of caregivers. This can be possible when patients on the autism spectrum utilise psychosocial resources, such as the help of specialists (psychologist, psychiatrist), group therapy, etc. In this way, within the show, Sam discovers his strength and receives both emotional and practical support during his enrolment in university. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted that this show also has its limitations \u2013 Sam is described as a character with autism with a very high level of functioning, does not take psychotropic medication and has no other comorbidities. Thus, the message that this show wishes to convey may not resonate with patients at the more severe end of the spectrum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, Atypical is a noteworthy show that strives to convey accurate and careful representations of people with autism, incorporating voices from the autistic community and bringing consultants and actors with ASD into the production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Spinning Out \u2013 bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\"Spinning\n\n\n\n

Trailer: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AmdnhR1Ie7g<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The show \u201cSpinning Out\u201d features Kat Baker, an Olympic figure skater, whose confidence in her ability to skate diminished after an accident during a competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to PTSD and depression, this show focuses on bipolar disorder, which is quite rarely portrayed in entertainment. On the rare occasions when we encounter it, the representation is erroneous or overdramatised. This show, however, demonstrates the normality of a life lived by characters who have mental illnesses and presents the full spectrum of symptoms of bipolar disorder throughout the episodes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to popular belief, although bipolarity is defined by separate manic and depressive episodes, it is common for people suffering from this condition to have mixed episodes, in which both manic and depressive symptoms are present, an aspect also reflected in Kat’s actions. She struggles with bipolar disorder, inherited from her mother, Carol, and, amidst severe crises of depression and mixed episodes, strives to find her balance and not give up her passion for skating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe the show represents mental disorders in a rather authentic way, also showing how they can affect one’s relationship with family and friends. While the show’s name makes a clear reference to \u201cspinning\u201d \u2013 rotating on ice, it also symbolises the loss of control experienced by bipolar individuals when going through a manic episode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representation of mental illnesses in media is extremely important, as it helps in understanding and recognising these conditions as clearly as possible, and in this way builds empathy and compassion towards people with a diagnosis. For those who struggle with various mental illnesses, I believe it is a very beneficial way of accepting the illness, normalising it and integrating it into daily life. The more we talk about such topics and encounter them more often around us, the more prejudices and stigma associated with mental illnesses will disappear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, these shows were extremely healing. I no longer felt alone and gained the necessary courage to accept my mental disorder and view it with different eyes; I found solace and understanding, and everything became much easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, I believe that a musical comedy like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend will cheer you up, the family show Atypical will relax you, and the series Spinning Out will introduce you to the fascinating world of figure skating. Enjoy watching! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Resources about the disorders mentioned in the article:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n