Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of Joan Crawford in the movie Mommy Dearest (1981) exhibits many of the characteristics of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Her character also seems to suffer from antisocial narcissistic behaviors as well as histrionic personality and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. These disorders often occur together and are closely related mental health diagnoses, which result in a disruption in self-image, relationships and regulation or control of emotions (Life on the borderline, 2014).
The causes of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are unclear, but it often has severe effects on the one suffering from this disorder as well as those around them and closest to them. This disorder often strikes at a young …show more content…
Those with this disorder may be very successful people, however, their personal relationships tend to be in chaos and constant disorder. Any failure or disruptions in personal relationships are often blamed on others, usually those they are closest to (Rathus, 2010). The causes of histrionic disorder are unknown, but may be linked to genetics or childhood events (Personality Disorders, 2017). There were several areas in Mommy Dearest, where Joan Crawford exhibited these traits. In the scene when Joan is being interviewed by a woman reporter in her home and Christina enters the room and tries to defy her mother in front of the reporter, Joan becomes exceedingly angry and nearly strangled her daughter to death, blaming her for the failed interview. Later in the movie, Joan blames Mrs. Chadwick, who runs the exclusive private school that Christina goes to for the corruption of her daughter. When Christina was found kissing a boy, Joan removes Her daughter from the reputable school, where Christina was happy with her teachers and friends. This over reaction to a normal teen behavior is a characteristic of histrionic …show more content…
They become obsessed with their dreams of superiority and success. Narcissists act with arrogance and use people who are part of their life (Rathus, 2010). The causes of narcissistic behavior also are unclear, but are felt to be affected by parent/child relationships and possibly genetics also. In the movie Mommy Dearest Joan’s narcissistic personality is noted most especially in the way she demands her daughter Christina call her “Mommy Dearest”. Additionally, when Joan wins her award for her acting career and is at home. She makes a grand entrance outside and gives a dramatic speech to the reporters who are waiting outside her home. Her speech is very self-centered and rehearsed. It includes many characteristics of narcissistic behavior. These characteristics are also displayed by Joan after her husband dies toward the end of the film. Her narcissistic behavior is clearly evident in how she addresses the board. She virtually throws their “recommendation” that she step down from the board of Pepsi Cola right back in their face, and demands to remain on the board as if she had been a major part of the company and its success. Her heightened sense of self-importance is overwhelming in this scene representing narcissism at its
The causes of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are unclear, but it often has severe effects on the one suffering from this disorder as well as those around them and closest to them. This disorder often strikes at a young …show more content…
Those with this disorder may be very successful people, however, their personal relationships tend to be in chaos and constant disorder. Any failure or disruptions in personal relationships are often blamed on others, usually those they are closest to (Rathus, 2010). The causes of histrionic disorder are unknown, but may be linked to genetics or childhood events (Personality Disorders, 2017). There were several areas in Mommy Dearest, where Joan Crawford exhibited these traits. In the scene when Joan is being interviewed by a woman reporter in her home and Christina enters the room and tries to defy her mother in front of the reporter, Joan becomes exceedingly angry and nearly strangled her daughter to death, blaming her for the failed interview. Later in the movie, Joan blames Mrs. Chadwick, who runs the exclusive private school that Christina goes to for the corruption of her daughter. When Christina was found kissing a boy, Joan removes Her daughter from the reputable school, where Christina was happy with her teachers and friends. This over reaction to a normal teen behavior is a characteristic of histrionic …show more content…
They become obsessed with their dreams of superiority and success. Narcissists act with arrogance and use people who are part of their life (Rathus, 2010). The causes of narcissistic behavior also are unclear, but are felt to be affected by parent/child relationships and possibly genetics also. In the movie Mommy Dearest Joan’s narcissistic personality is noted most especially in the way she demands her daughter Christina call her “Mommy Dearest”. Additionally, when Joan wins her award for her acting career and is at home. She makes a grand entrance outside and gives a dramatic speech to the reporters who are waiting outside her home. Her speech is very self-centered and rehearsed. It includes many characteristics of narcissistic behavior. These characteristics are also displayed by Joan after her husband dies toward the end of the film. Her narcissistic behavior is clearly evident in how she addresses the board. She virtually throws their “recommendation” that she step down from the board of Pepsi Cola right back in their face, and demands to remain on the board as if she had been a major part of the company and its success. Her heightened sense of self-importance is overwhelming in this scene representing narcissism at its