Delusional Disorder In Shutter Island

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Register to read the introduction… Throughout the film, we see Andrew suffering from several nonbizarre delusions. Also, criteria for Schizophrenia were never met. Hallucinations are present, yet functioning is not severely impaired in any way. His disorder does not appear to be due to substance abuse or a general medical condition. Therefore, the disorder that fits best for this character is Delusional Disorder, Persecutory Type. An argument could be made for Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified; however, I examined the two and Delusional Disorder was a closer fit. Andrew’s last statement at the end is troubling and we see that is definitely a disturbed individual in need of some serious psychological help. For those with the Persecutory Type of Delusional Disorder, the DSM-IV-TR does state that the prognosis for recovery is better. So, perhaps, this is why the hospital staff tried so hard to break Andrew out of his delusions. Though he does emerge from his delusions briefly, it can be inferred that the pain of his reality was simply too much to

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