The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 4.4% of adults in the United States experience bipolar disorder, making it one of the more common mental health conditions in the country. Below are five movies that accurately depict people who have bipolar disorder, which provide more insight into the condition and can help spark important dialogue. Some critics say that the film “sensationalizes” mental health struggles, but it does a good job of portraying the feelings and emotional waves experienced during manic and depressive episodes. The movie follows Pat (Bradley Cooper)—who is navigating a recent bipolar disorder diagnosis and has just been released from a psychiatric hospital and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who also struggles with her own emotional turmoil. Throughout the film, they form a unique relationship and deep bond that helps them learn, grow, and find support in each other. While based on an actual character, the film is primarily conceptual and imagines the emotional and human experience of a woman author dealing with mental health struggles and navigating bipolar disorder at a time when women were marginalized. Produced and directed by Dana Perry, “Boy Interrupted” is a documentary centered around the director’s own son, Evan, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a pre-teen. At the age of 15, he commits suicide. The film explores the impact of Evan’s death through raw, home video footage and interviews with family, friends, and doctors recorded by Perry herself. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. It touches on the lives of different individuals and explores the complications that tend to arise in the relationships and daily lives of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
