Running head: INTERIORS
Interiors
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation
INTERIORS
Identify the symptoms of the client in the video transcript Siskel Ebert Interiors, taking
into consideration culture.
One of the major symptoms exhibited by the client is irritability and an inability to experience
joy. As mentioned in the transcript, "the mother, Geraldine Page, is cracking up after years of
stifling her emotions and trying to be a perfect person." On the other hand, the father wants
separation to seek some fun in his life. The second symptom is pain. Eve and Arthur are clearly
in deep pain as a result of the lack of peace and happiness in their marriage. Each has been
suppressing his or her emotions, and right now, they are on the verge of separation.
The second notable symptoms exhibited by the client is suicidal thoughts. She descends into
serious depression following the breakup with her husband, and this pushes her to attempt
suicide. According to Mayo Clinic (2019), emotionally stressful events such as breakups often
lead to low moods, sadness, anxiety, and fear, which may push the individual to suicidal
thoughts and attempts. However, it is important to note that some of the symptoms shown by the
client could potentially emanate from her adaptation to grief. After her husband announces his
intentions to move out, she emotionally breaks down. At first, its denial then comes her suicide
attempt and then indignity of learning about her husband's new love interest. According to Mayo
Clinic (2020), "while normal grief symptoms gradually start to fade over time, those of
complicated grief linger or get worse. Complicated grief is like being in an ongoing, heightened
state of mourning that keeps you from healing."
Moods swings and agitation are the other notable symptoms exhibited by the client. She is
portrayed as an overly controlling, demanding, and ultra-sensitive woman with somewhat
extreme reactions and mood swings. Depressed individuals often tend to have abrupt,
unaccountable and unpredictable changes in moods, and this could potentially cause discomfort
INTERIORS
among the people around them. The client's breakdown and extreme behaviors are largely
caused by her depressed state of mind.
Assess if the client in the video has a psychiatric illness or if their symptoms are within an
adaptive range for grieving for that group/culture.
While the symptoms exhibited by the client in this particular video transcript are within an
adaptive range for grieving, it is clear the client suffers a psychiatric illness coupled with her
adaptation to grief. In fact, Interiors serves as a cautionary tale about the potentially dire effects
of leaving a mental illness unchecked and untreated. The five stages of grieving are denial,
anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance (Love, 2007). As evidenced in the film, the client
totally disintegrates when her husband says he will leave, and this pushes her into the mental
disturbance.
The film is a clear depiction of the dysfunctional nature of many families in the modern social-
economic culture. It should be remembered that the main characters in the film belong to the
White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP). According to Kolakowski (2014), depression is a
serious mental problem that has notable adverse effects of relationships such as lack of time for
one another, loss of interest in love and commitment, low sex drive, negative outlook and
increased alcoholism. Therefore, in a nutshell, the problem explored in this particular film
emanates from the client's psychiatric illness (depression) as well as the effects of grieving.
INTERIORS
References
Hamilton, I. J. (2016). Understanding grief and bereavement. Br J Gen Pract, 66(651), 523-523.
Kolakowski, S. (2014). When Depression Hurts Your Relationship: How to Regain Intimacy and
Reconnect with Your Partner When You're Depressed. New Harbinger Publications.
Love, A. W. (2007). Progress in understanding grief, complicated grief, and caring for the
bereaved. Contemporary Nurse, 27(1), 73-83.
Mayo Clinic (2020). Complicated grief. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/complicated-grief/symptoms-causes/syc-20360374
