Question

What is the psychological view on shutter Island movie and abnormal psychological disorders?

х SHUTTER ISLAND 2010 R 2h 18m HD Play A U.S. marshal's troubling visions compromise his investigation into the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley Director: Martin Scorsese + ✓ My List Rate Share Download

Answer 1

Shutter Island is one of the most entertaining psychological thrillers and also one of my personal favorites. Teddy's character meets the DSM criteria for delusional disorder. Delusions are fixed, adamant beliefs which are very hard to change even if there is contrary evidence present. According to the criteria, a person suffering from delusional disorder might still be performing well in all domains of life and that is what is shown of Teddy. He is characterized as a high functioning person. Teddy experiences the delusions for almost a month (or more so) and the causes of these delusions are definitely not mood changes or any substance abuse.

Also Teddy's delusions are not bizarre and he is very sociable, outgoing all the time (opposite to flat effect). Therefore we can rule out Schizophrenia.

Also his delusions can be said to be a mixed type - grandiosity (I have to unravel a big conspiracy) and persecutory (I will not be allowed to leave this island ever).