Psychological disorders take different forms depending on causal factors, age, and exhibited symptoms. Health professionals and psychiatrists should be aware of different conditions if they are to provide adequate support or therapy to the affected patient. This paper gives a detailed analysis of the therapeutic techniques portrayed in the film, The Madness of King George.
Movie Summary
The selected film presents the story of King George II who is suffering from an unnamed psychological condition. His madness appears to affect the nature of leadership in the United Kingdom throughout the 1780s. This mental illness triggers an unanticipated power struggle between the reform-minded Charles James Fox and the current Prime Minister, Pritt the Younger (Hytner, 1994). At the very beginning, the king appears restless and concerned about the future of the United Kingdom. His son, the Prince of Wales, worsens the situation to marry Mrs. Fitzherbert and get the support of James Fox.
The prince later stages a music concert intending to expose his father’s behavior and mental condition. The king later interrupts the party and assaults his son. Dr. Warren begins to treat the king using primitive procedures and medical practices, such as the use of purges and blistering. However, Dr. Francis Willis is recommended to treat the king since the earlier methods have been unsuccessful (Hytner, 1994). This new physician uses a strict regimen whereby he straps and restrains the leader into a waistcoat whenever he exhibits signs of resistance or insanity. He soon recovers and stops the passage of the infamous Regency bill. He eventually gains control of his emotions and prevents his son from marrying Mrs. Fitzherbert.
The portrayal of the Therapy
Two approaches for treating psychological disorders are identified in this film. The first one entails the use of medical practices, such as blistering and purges (Hytner, 1994). The other one is that of strapping and restraining the targeted patient. The second therapeutic technique is the focus of this discussion. In the selected movie, the viewer observes that Dr. Willis uses constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) to treat the king. It is later revealed that the patient records significant improvement, thereby taking control of his territory and family.
Analysis
Although the king benefits from CIMT, it is agreeable that the medical technique is inappropriate for individuals suffering from madness. Rector, Man, and Lerman (2014) indicate that this kind of rehabilitative therapy works effectively for patients suffering from central nervous system damage or stroke. The method results in the increased use of the affected upper limbs, thereby minimizing spasticity. A detailed analysis of King George’s condition reveals that he could have been suffering from porphyria.
This psychological disease occurs when porphyrins accumulate in the blood, thereby affecting a person’s nervous system. Individuals can manage this condition by consuming glucose solutions and avoiding sunlight. Restraint therapy, is, therefore, wrongly applied in this scenario. The success of CIMT might indicate that the king could have been suffering from stroke, which is not the case (Rector et al., 2014). The introduction of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can have guided the ruler to modify his behaviors and thoughts and eventually record positive outcomes.
Conclusion
The above discussion has supported the use of therapy to manage various psychological disorders. The application of CIMT to treat porphyria in the studied movie is inaccurate and erroneous. Psychotherapists should consider the nature of the targeted mental idleness and introduce the most appropriate treatment technique.
References
Hytner, N. (Director). (1994). The madness of King George [Video file]. Web.
Rector, N. A., Man, V., & Lerman, B. (2014). The expanding cognitive-behavioural therapy treatment umbrella for the anxiety disorders: Disorder-specific and transdiagnostic approaches. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(6), 301-309. Web.