Anxiety Disorders
and the Cinema

by Arthur Anderson

The following reviews address films that feature portrayals of "anxiety disorders." These reviews are not formal cinematic critique, but are rather commentary from within the anxiety disorder community. Special attention is paid to the realism of symptoms, behavior, lifestyle, diagnosis, treatment and recovery of characters in such films. The theatrical and historical context of these films is also considered. In general, it should be noted that these films are mainly intended for entertainment rather than education. Nonetheless, readers should consider that these popular films reflect or affect public opinion regarding anxiety disorders to some degree.


2000 Comedy Nurse Betty Dissociation / PTSD
1999 Comedy Analyze This Panic Disorder / PTSD
1997 Comedy As Good As It Gets OCD
1995 Drama Copycat PTSD / Panic Disorder
1993 Drama Fearless PTSD
1992 Drama The Fear Inside Agoraphobia / Panic Disorder
1991 Comedy What About Bob? Hypochondria / Phobia
1990 Comedy Joe Versus The Volcano Hypochondria / Phobia
1977 Comedy High Anxiety Nervous Illness / Phobia
1964 Drama The Night of the Iguana Nervous Breakdown
1958 Drama Vertigo Phobia / PTSD

Suggestions, comments, criticism, feedback and questions are always welcome at arthur@anxiety-panic.com.



This web site was created by Arthur Anderson for Anxiety-Panic.Com