Disorder Description
John Nash, from the movie “A Beautiful Mind,” has a specific psychological disorder. The character hallucinates and sees persons who significantly impact his behavior and decisions. He also has paranoid ideas that emerge from interacting with these people and their orders. As a result, Nash cannot function normally, his social and family lives are ruined, and he requires assistance.
The Need for Treatment
In such a way, the character requires treatment because of the severity of his condition. Although Nash remains functional and works at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, his hallucinations become more dangerous. First, he devotes much time to doing a job he thinks is essential for his country’s security; however, it does not exist (A Beautiful Mind). Second, his wife and child are in danger as Nash believes that his imaginary friend Charles can watch a baby during the bath (A Beautiful Mind). It means that the character demands assistance and effective interventions.
Therefore, Nash realizes the need for treatment, which is serious progress in his case. Initially, he was resistant and skeptical as he trusted his hallucinations and their words. However, as far as the condition progresses, he clearly sees its severity. The accident with his child and his accidentally beating the wife serves as a trigger. Nash recognizes these people do not exist and asks for assistance and treatment.
Possible Treatments
Discussing the character’s case, it is possible to recommend using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the method to improve his state. The approach is designed to change how people think and behave (Spielman et al. 613). CBT helps patients to become aware of irrational thoughts, visions, and acts and replace them with new, more accepted, and positive patterns (Spielman et al. 613). For John Nash, CBT might help to disregard his hallucinations’ recommendations and orders and learn how to live a full life by making rational decisions.
Works Cited
A Beautiful Mind. Directed by Ron Howard, Universal Pictures, 2001.
Spielman, Rose, et al. Psychology. 2nd. ed., OpenStax, 2020.