Fatal Attraction: A Focus on Mental Health. Psychology Essay

Fatal Attraction: A Focus on Mental Health
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Fatal Attraction: A Focus on Mental Health
The mental health of an individual has a profound influence on their personalities. Human cognition and behavior can, therefore, be used to diagnose their mental health. In the1977 movie, Fatal Attraction, one character displays the symptoms of mental illness. The movie is about a successful lawyer (Dan Gallagher) who is happily married but gets into an affair with his editor (Alex). The man initially considers their relationship as a casual throw but it turns sour due to Alex’s obsessions, infatuation and psychotic actions.
Alex, who is the antagonist of the thriller film, displays multiple signs and symptoms of Borderline personality disorder (BPD) which has a detrimental impact on mental health. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) outlines the signs and symptoms that can be used to assess and diagnose various types of mental illnesses including the BPD (Benson et al., 2017). Individuals with borderline personality disorders are often worried about being abandoned by their friends, family or partners. The DSM IV indicates that such individuals will make agitated efforts to avoid being deserted. Alex displays this symptom by persistently asking Mr. Gallagher out phone calls. She seeks attention and constantly urges him to spend more time with her. Borderline personality disorder makes it difficult for individuals to get into and maintain stable relationships. Alex does not have a husband and feels empty and lonely. Besides, their relationship with Gallagher is very short-lived. Sometimes the patients of borderline personality exhibit self-injuring behavior and suicidal thoughts. In one of the scenes, Alex attempts suicide by cutting her wrist. BPD patients also display impulsivity and psychotic behaviors (Paris, 2018). They also find it difficult to control their anger. Psychotic actions are seen in the movie when Alex kills Ellen's pet rabbit. Her anger is also observed when she attempts to kill Ellen with a knife.
Three perspectives can be used to explain the development of borderline personality disorders. Genetically perspectives explain how certain genes in a family may increase the chances of developing BPD. The neurophysiological perspective, on the other hand, indicates how the structure and functioning of the human brain and the central nervous system may lead to the development of BPD. However, in the Fatal Attraction, environmental perspective can be used to explain Alex’s condition. This approach attributes environmental factors to the development of mental illnesses. The factors come inform of traumatic life experiences such as childhood sexual or physical assault, the divorce of parents, bereavement and neglect (Berry & Danquah, 2016). In the film, Alex tells Mr. Gallagher that, ‘My father died of a heart attack... right in front...