The Analysis Of Psychopathology In Alfred Hitchcock Movies

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: During the 20th century, psychiatry began to use the cinema as didactic-pedagogical help resource in the study of psychopathology. The Films of Alfred Hitchcock usually present as main themes mental disorders and the psychoanalysis. However, these films were not created with academic goal and it is natural that there are distortions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the importance of Hitchcock films as didactic resource in the study of psychopathology, identify possible distortions and seek to justify them on the basis of the historical context. METHODOLOGY: The abstracts of the 53 feature-length films of the director were read and deleted the movies that did not have the mental disorder as a central theme; they were dumb; or those who had only the antisocial personality disorder. It was performed a narrative review. RESULTS: Six films were selected through an intentional sampling. When he speaks of the Heart (1945) shows a picture of amnesia with dissociative fugue. The psychoanalysis is represented in a very superficial. The Indiscreet (1954) describes a voyeuristic disorder and should not be indicated. The Wrong Man (1956) depicts a severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms. A body that falls (1958) presents the themes of specific phobia of height and the acute stress disorder. Psychosis (1960) represents a framework of dissociative identity disorder, but the scenes of violence may cause a negative view of the mentally ill. Marnie (1964) has as themes the specific phobia and sexual aversion disorder. The psychoanalysis is presented in distorted form and caricature. CONCLUSION: The films directed by Alfred Hitchcock can be useful in the study of psychiatry and should be considered the distortions that can worsen the stigma.