Little Miss Sunshine, Movie Review Example

The Little Miss Sunshine Movie has many characters with emotional and mental problems but all the characters do not all meet the criteria under major depressive disorders (MDD) under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). The Hoover family in the movie are truly a dysfunctional family with an assortment of personal issues. Richard is a failed motivational speaker which shows he does not have the skills to be an orator however, it’s not because of his low self-esteem because.  Richard keeps giving the motivational speeches to a few people. Dewayne is an typical teenager that is dealing with life but his is appears to be a loner, quiet and refuses to talk until he reaches his personal goal of being a test pilot. Dewayne has ambition and drive which does not meet the criteria for mental disorders. The primary dysfunctions of this family is drug abuse, teen isolation, breakdown in marriage communication, overzealous mother and chain smoking sister Sheryl. Nevertheless, it is Frank who has emotion and depression problems that meets all the criteria for major depressive disorders (MDD) under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) description by Varcarolis &. Halter, 2005.

Frank-Main Character

In the movie character Frank demonstrated systems of mental health disorder and disorder of cognition. Frank has committed suicide because of major depression and often in the movie has mixed anxiety depression with bouts of low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with his life. Frank would be classified on the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale by Varcarolis and Halter (2005) in persistent danger of possibly wanting to hurt themselves and clearly has every intention of committing suicide. Frank was driven by depression moods because he had a failed relationship with male graduate student. Frank meets the criteria for major depressive disorders (MDD) under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) because his mental disorder is based on major rejection in a relationship that led to his mental breakdown and suicide attempt. Franks wanting to complete his suicide to end his mental pain of rejection that led to his constant distressing thoughts. He is preoccupied with the thought of the male graduate student not being in his life. This is the classic description and characteristics of someone that suicidal such as mood disorders and anxiety whenever discussing the personal relationship that has ended.

Frank has several other mental health issues that meet the DSM-V definition of persons with severe emotional and anxiety problems brought on by a personal event that led to major depression moods and suicide attempts. Frank had mention that he was not satisfied with his life which caused him to have a feeling of helplessness that left him vulnerable to attempt suicide. Frank became frustrated that his life did not include the male graduate, who had rejected Frank causing him to feel failure and disappointment with his own life. It was clear that Frank meets three major criteria for DSM-V mental dysfunction classifications of mixed-anxiety depression, recurrent brief bouts with depression and at times minor depressive moods. Varcarolis & Halter (2005) definition proposed subtypes for areas of DSM-V major depressive disorder (MDD) mental dysfunction classification proposed by clinicians and researchers diagnosis are described as mixed anxiety-depression, recurrent brief depression, and minor depression.

There is one more character that meets the of DSM-V major depressive disorder (MDD) mental dysfunction classification is the grandfather Edwin Hoover. Edwin is suffering from dementia and is depressed about his life and the life of his family members. Edwin’s striking out at other family members which is an indication of some mental dysfunctions.  Edwin can be nice one minute encouraging Olive Hoover and in the next mood swing can being cursing which is a sign of a depressive mood swing.

References

Varcarolis, E.M., & M.J. Halter. (2005).Foundations of psychiatric mental health nursing: A clinical approach, Sixth edition. New York: NY. Elsevier Health Sciences