We’ve become experts at editing and publishing our story for mass consumption. Pictures and messages are carefully curated, perfect moments are fixed in time, and any details that are too depressing or unsavory are left for the cutting room floor. If anyone doubted this wasn’t true, note how accustomed we’ve become at crafting narratives through social media that convey to others we have our lives down to a script. And as lead actors, we’ve grown to believe our lives can resemble the stories we tell each other. We are also drawn to narratives because we see parts of our experience reflected in them. Annie Murphy Paul states, “The brain, it seems, does not make much of a distinction between reading about an experience and encountering it in real life.” 1 Stories are so powerful and ingrained in our psyche that we see them even when they’re not there. Research shows that when we hear a story, it captures our attention and we “tune in.” In fact, not only are the parts of our brain responsible for language and comprehension activated when we hear or read a story, we also experience it as the speaker would. It forms a recognizable pattern that we use to communicate with and understand one another. As humans, we are naturally drawn to this story arc. All stories - whether they’re romance, adventure, or action - are built on an arc where the struggles, conflicts, and challenges introduced are worked out in a final resolution. Our culture is permeated with narratives. And the narrative we tell ourselves - the inner dialogue we have about who we are - impacts how we interpret and respond to our experiences and effectively cope with life’s challenges. Nevertheless, stories remain an important part of how we view the world and our lives. New relationships don’t fix underlying mental health issues. Progress can be made and lost, setbacks aren’t always easily overcome, and there’s no finish line or picture-perfect ending. At the end, the audience is left with the impression the main characters have rebounded from their challenges and found happiness by finding each other.īut in the real world, recovery from mental illness is often a lifelong struggle. Our protagonist embarks on a journey toward recovery, and despite setbacks, achieves personal growth and development with the help of a newfound love interest. However, like other romance-dramas it follows a familiar narrative. Silver Linings Playbook portrays many aspects of mental health issues such as loss, trauma, and depression with honesty. One of my favorite movies that wrestles with the topic of mental health is Silver Linings Playbook, a story of how one man rebuilds his life after a stay in a psychiatric hospital and losing his wife and job.
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