The Power of Mental Health Plotlines.
I watch a lot of TV. Not reality TV, real TV. I watch all the shows. Sitcoms sometimes, but mainly dramas. I love me some Grey’s Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder, A Million Little Things and most of all This Is Us.
I watch these shows to feel something. When I’m having a good week, I watch them when I have time. Enjoying the plotlines, anticipating what’s coming next based on visual queues and music. When I’m feeling low, I binge TV. I save all my favorites for a Thursday or Friday night and cry my eyes out at all the tear jerker moments.
Shows have an evolution to them. The characters can be so much bigger than in a movie. You take time to get to know them. That’s why the plot lines can be so emotional. You’re seeing the bigger picture of a character’s life. You’re seeing their crap. All the yucky stuff we all seem to somehow hide away in our own lives. The things we don’t take to the office with us. The things we don’t even tell our partners or friends.
In shows you get to see more about the characters than they share with almost anyone. Watching them play out their lives in a plot can sometimes give you hope. Hope that you can have a great day after the dark ones too. Hope that life can be topsy turvy, but still have some bright spots. I’ll be honest, sometimes I watch shows because their lives are so much worse than mine. The things they’re dealing with make my issues seem so small. That could sound silly, especially if you’re like my mom and watch ER episodes saying ‘that’s not what an operating room EVER looks like’. Ok mom we get it, it’s dramatized, but I still LOVE IT!
And you know what? The plotlines of those shows ARE some people’s lives. You just don’t hear about it as much because our society makes it shameful to share those things. Don’t air your dirty laundry in public, right? WRONG. It’s the 21st century, and it’s about time we start to talk.
The power of mental health plotlines in modern day TV is remarkable. This Is Us had been weaving mental health issues into episodes from day 1. One of the main characters, Randall, has anxiety. It’s not the only focus of the show. Of course there is loss, addiction, family dynamics, and a whole list of other ‘life stuff’. Randall’s path with anxiety is illustrated through flashbacks to childhood, and modern day stressors he lives through and displays anxiety during.
In last week’s episode, Randall’s daughter starts to display signs of anxiety. You can see so many similarities between her at a young age, and Randall. The pressure they put on themselves to do well in school, fit in, and be normal is amplified by their genetic make up to be more anxiety prone.
Throughout the episode you see moments before Randall and his wife are aware of what’s going on. You see their daughter, Tess, struggling on her own before it gets so bad that she needs help. I can relate to that in so many ways. I remember having rough work weeks, or even months where I would tell myself I needed more work life balance. Where I would say I needed to get a therapist, but never took the time to look options up or schedule an appointment.
When Tess has a panic attack at school, her parents are called and they come to bring her home. Randall wants to jump right in and talk about his experiences with anxiety and help her understand that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Tess pushes away that immediate support, but in the end, Randall and his wife have a very moving conversation with Tess about where she’s currently at in life. What things are eating away at her mentally, and what next steps are to regain control.
Scenes like this can have a ripple effect on the audience. Some people watching the episode may be identifying with Tess. What emotions and actions are popping up to trigger anxiety? What does her version of anxiety look like? Are you seeing similar things in yourself? Other viewers are the parents themselves. Maybe anxiety isn’t even the issue their child is struggling with, but they know something in their dynamic is off. Watching the tell tale signs of a teen asking for help without actually asking can sometimes be the light bulb moment a parent needs to realize that it’s time to step in.
Humanizing an experience like that makes it relatable. Randall is an otherwise extremely successful character. He has an incredible job, a great family, and has provided a nice life for himself. These panic attacks in his life had moments where people at work may have suspected something, but ultimately you watch the struggle happen silently. The way struggles are for many of us.
The more we can talk about life’s traumas and the realities of our experiences, the more we slay stigma and provide a happier and healthier place for people to ask for and get the help that they need. People don’t understand things that are different from them, and the fear of different causes so many to stay so far away. By bringing these issues to the screen (or print, or podcasts) helps to normalize experiences, while also giving guidance on how to handle life issues (or how not to).
I don’t want to recommend that people watch more TV in their lives. I for one could certainly use a few less hours a week, and a few more reading a book. I will say though, shows are a great outlet for me to feel. If you’re ever looking for a show to watch, I have a very long list. I can tell you what ones are sad, what will numb the brain and allow you to just sink into the couch, and what ones will give your cheekbones pain from all the smiles. As always, please reach out if you want a recommendation, or have one for me! I’d love to hear from you - emily@bipolarbroughtbalance.com
