11 Best Movies About Bipolar That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Movies About Bipolar

People with bipolar disorder need to be depicted in cinema and television. As a result, the media tends to exaggerate the highs and lows of the illness.

With bipolar disorder, a person can appear to be any other person. They’re middle-aged and middle-aged at the same time, and they’ve got a great job, a loving family, and a lot of friends. As a result, a more accurate depiction of mental illness can help raise awareness and eliminate stigma.

List of movies and TV shows that included a bipolar character and did it well are below. They were able to do this by depicting the highs and lows of bipolar disease in a way that was relatable to the general public.

It’s clear that these characters have people that care about them. Bipolar disorder is a topic that is frequently discussed in these films and television series.

Decisions about therapy are examined and challenged in many of these shows and films. As in real life, finding the correct care and treatment alternatives for you or a loved one can be a long and arduous process.

1. ‘Silver Linings Playbook’

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Matthew Quick wrote the novel on which this 2012 film is based. A man by the name of Pat ends up in a psychiatric hospital after he gets in trouble with the law.

During his stay at the hospital, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In Pat’s mind, this diagnosis is a huge blow. After being released from the hospital, he returns to his parents’ home.

Previously, Pat was married and employed as a teacher. He’s resolute in his desire to reclaim this existence. Pat dislikes the side effects of the drug and does not believe he needs it. On his own, he wishes to deal with the symptoms of his bipolar disorder.

Manic episodes are appropriately shown in the film: It takes Pat a long time and a lot of creative thinking to reclaim his wife. He has a tendency to speak quickly, blurt out anything comes to mind, and gets little sleep.

His family and acquaintances are also depicted in the film. They’re a great family. To watch how important they are in his healing is a joy.

2. ‘Homeland’

“Homeland” is a television series that aired from 2011 till the present time. Carrie, a CIA agent with bipolar disorder, stars in the film.

Claire Danes’ Carrie is convinced that an American POW is an Al-Qaeda snitch. While many people are hailing this prisoner as a hero, Carrie’s intuition tells her differently.

Carrie is at the peak of her powers in this gripping cat-and-mouse thriller. Carrie is a quick-thinker, capable of executing complex plans, and a spontaneous person. As a CIA agent, she benefits from these characteristics, which may be related to her bipolar disorder.

As a result, her bipolar disorder gets worse as a result of the constant stress of her job.

3. ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’

‘Degrassi The Next Generation’

One of Canada’s longest-running television series aired between 2001 and 2015. In the 1980s and ’90s, it was one of the most popular shows on television.

The sitcom follows a group of high school students as they struggle with the normal ups and downs of adolescence. Real-life personalities are lauded for their bravery in dealing with difficult issues.

Ellie Goldsworthy and Craig Manning are two characters with bipolar disorder in the television show. For the most part, they are just like any other high school students. As a result, the audience is able to understand how living with bipolar disorder affects the lives of those around them.

There have been characters with mental health issues in every “Degrassi” series.

4. ‘Michael Clayton’

As a legal thriller, this 2007 film centers on the defense of an enormously guilty corporation by a law practice. The class-action suit is worth billions of dollars, so the stakes and stress are high..

Arthur Edens is played by Tom Wilkinson. He’s a senior attorney at the firm who suffers from bipolar disorder. A manic episode occurs when he is in court because of his medicine not being taken. He’s no longer a part of it.

This film touches on difficult issues, such as a patient refusing to take his medication and ending up in the hospital.

5. ‘Infinitely Polar Bear’

‘Infinitely Polar Bear’

Maya Forbes, the film’s writer and director, was inspired by her own childhood memories for this 2014 film.

The film is set in the 1970s. A bipolar disorder sufferer, Cameron (Mark Ruffalo), is the father of the protagonists. During the time that the mother is in grad school, Cameron assumes responsibility for the care of their children.

An example of how bipolar disease can cause havoc in a family is given in the film “Infinitely Polar Bear”.

While suffering from manic episodes, Cameron exhibits an abundance of creativity and spontaneity. He’s bursting with energy and new ideas. For his family, this is both endearing and aggravating.

The girls’ lives with their father are not easy. In other cases, Cameron has tried to self-medicate with alcohol instead of taking his prescription.

There are many difficulties, but there is also a lot of affection.

6. ‘Mr Jones’

In this 1993 film, a guy with bipolar disorder is placed in an inpatient treatment clinic.

Living with bipolar disorder has its ups and downs, as the film depicts. Richard Gere plays a man who refuses to take medication.

He understands why he does what he does during a maniac episode. When he’s in a manic state, he feels like he’s free and happy.

His therapist develops feelings for him while he is in therapy. She is aware of the dangers of falling for a patient, yet she is unable to resist his enticing qualities.

7. ‘Touched with Fire’

‘Touched with Fire’

For some people, bipolar disorder can lead to both extremes of mania (or euphoria) and depression (or a combination of both).

“Touched with Fire” tells the story of two bipolar poets. When both of them are suffering from manic episodes, they happen to run into each other in a treatment center.

In their minds, going back on medicine would stifle their creativity, which they find impossible to contemplate.

After they leave the facility, the two poets continue their relationship. As a result, their loved ones fear they aren’t taking care of themselves adequately.

8. ‘The Informant!’

Based on a true story, this 2009 film tells the narrative of a corporate whistleblower. Archer-Daniels-Midland executive Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) suffers with bipolar disorder.

In exchange for an investigation, he agrees to give up some of his personal information to the federal government. Meanwhile, he is siphoning off millions from the company.

For a while, he was able to carry out this very complex plan because he was in a state of frenzy. Nevertheless, the stress and pressure of this complex plan affects his health.

In this film, we get a glimpse into Whitacre’s mind as he goes through an episode of madness. As a result of Whitacre’s efforts, there is less stigma attached to mental health issues today.

Bipolar rock n’ rollers are known as

9. ‘Bipolar Rock ‘N’ Roller’

‘Bipolar Rock ‘N’ Roller’

His career in sports broadcasting began at the age of 16, and he has made history as the only announcer to call all combat sports broadcasted on television. Mixed martial arts, kickboxing and professional wrestling are included in this.

He’s had bipolar disorder since he was in his teens, and he’s had an incredible career. To tell his story, he made a documentary about it.

This book looks on how his profession and bipolar condition have intertwined. It’s not just Mauro’s friends who share their stories with him. They describe his emotional outbursts, fury, and sadness in great detail.

To combat mental health stigma, Mauro promotes for mental health and tries to educate the public about mental disease.

10. ‘Inside Out’

In spite of the fact that this 2015 film is advertised as a children’s movie, it does an excellent job at depicting bipolar disorder.

“Inside Out” focuses on how the human brain processes emotions and memories. There are five characters who symbolize the five major emotions: joy, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust.

The plot of the story teaches the viewers about the workings of the human mind and heart. It also demonstrates what occurs when things go awry.

11. The takeaway

The takeaway

People with bipolar disorder need to be adequately shown in movies and television shows if they are to be properly represented.

Despite the fact that people with mental health issues are often stigmatized, many misconceptions persist. The portrayal of bipolar characters in films and television can help educate the public about the disorder and eliminate its stigma.