Identify The Character and the Source (Movie, Etc.).
“ Thirteen” is a movie that was produced in 2003. The movie portrays a psychological disorder and uses it as a backdrop for other themes. It presents a case of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). From the onset, the movie describes the underrated dangers that teenagers experience ranging from dysfunctional family relationships to peer pressure. Tracy is the protagonist, she leads a normal life with good friends to a point where she meets Evie, and they become close friends. Arguably, peer pressure is the greatest source of danger for teenagers. However, in Tracy’s case, this is not true. For her, the biggest danger is her relationship with her recovering alcoholic mother (Melanie). Melanie is so helpless that she always allows other people including her cocaine-addicted ex-husband and other friends to take advantage of her situation. So, every time Melanie engages in a confrontation with her ex-husband, Tracy ends up being more self-destructive. The dysfunctional home makes Tracy develop self-destructive behavior. For instance, she starts to cut herself, and she even steals from others. She also continues to learn more self-destructive behaviors from Evie.
Describe The Behaviors That Are Symptomatic Of The Character's Disorder.
The class textbook has discussed various symptoms of BPD. A number of these symptoms are shown in this movie. The following are behaviors are symptomatic of the disorder.
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Unstable and distorted self-image
Dangerous and impulsive behavior like substance abuse and unsafe sex
Self-harming or threats to self-behavior such as cutting
Uncontrolled, intense and inappropriate anger
A trend of unstable relationships with friends and family. The person is involved in relationships that shifts from extreme closeness to extreme anger and dislike
Compare and Contrast the Way the Disorder is Portrayed by Your Person/Character Versus How the Disorder is Discussed by Professional Sources, Including Your Textbook.
This movie is a complete guide on how mental illness is depicted in professional sources such as our course textbooks. Professional sources characterize BPD as an illness that affects an individual’s beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes causing intense stress to the person’s life. “Thirteen” (2003) mirrors this illness in such a manner that it not only showcases the symptoms and signs of people suffering from the disorder but also the impact it has on families and the risks involved. Therefore, the movie mirrors the true perception of the reality of mental illness. It thus helps give an accurate portrayal and description of Borderline personality disorder, while maintaining its entertainment value.
