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Side Effects

This reaction paper summarizes the movie "Side Effects" and discusses several key themes. It describes the plot of the movie, which follows Emily Taylor who feigns depression to manipulate her psychiatrist. This prompts feelings of remorse for innocent victims and rage for the conniving characters. The movie highlights the importance and responsibilities of mental healthcare, particularly proper diagnosis and the serious effects of medications. It also comments on the lack of mental health awareness and resources in the Philippines. Finally, it discusses the theme of revenge and whether breaking ethics could be justified if one's life was ruined by a client.

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Jim Jandro Tolentino
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115 views1 page

Side Effects

This reaction paper summarizes the movie "Side Effects" and discusses several key themes. It describes the plot of the movie, which follows Emily Taylor who feigns depression to manipulate her psychiatrist. This prompts feelings of remorse for innocent victims and rage for the conniving characters. The movie highlights the importance and responsibilities of mental healthcare, particularly proper diagnosis and the serious effects of medications. It also comments on the lack of mental health awareness and resources in the Philippines. Finally, it discusses the theme of revenge and whether breaking ethics could be justified if one's life was ruined by a client.

Uploaded by

Jim Jandro Tolentino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Tolentino, Jim Jandro P.

BS Psychology 3-1

Abnormal Psychology
Prof. Edith Habig
Side Effects: Reaction Paper

Side Effects is a movie directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Scott Z. Burns. Its
a story about Emily Taylors struggle to find her happiness. She has awaited the release of her
husband, Martin, from being imprisoned for insider trading for four years. When Martin finally
comes home, Emily feels just as bad as she did when he was incarcerated, and she sinks into a
deep depression. After her failed suicide attempt, psychiatrist Jonathan Banks prescribes a series
of medications. When those do not work, he gives Emily a new medication- Ablixa, but the drug
leads to the death of Martin and the ruin of Dr. Banks life. In the end, Dr. Banks finds out that
Emily intentionally killed Martin and feigned depression to regain back the opulent lifestyle she
lost when Martin was imprisoned- all with the help of her former psychiatrist and lover, Dr.
Victoria Siebert. To take revenge, Dr. Banks thinks of a way to manipulate the situation and
imprison Dr. Siebert and at the same time keeping Emily inside a mental hospital.
The most striking scene that greatly affected me was when Emily attempted suicide.
Although she was consciously wearing a seat belt, it does not undermine the fact that she was
readily available to risk her life all for the sake of fortune and defiant love. It prompted me to
feel remorse for Martin and Dr. Banks, who were both innocent and only wanted to help Emily,
and rage for Emily and Dr. Siebert, who were both conniving for the death of Martin.
This movie helped me understand more the serious depth of the responsibilities endowed
to mental health professionals. As a psychology student, I came to realize that mental health is
not a laughing matter, but a serious topic that should be given more importance; especially here
in the Philippines. In our country, we lack the knowledge and passion to help our fellow
countrymen who are experiencing mental health problems. Our government focuses only on our
physical illnesses; I am not implying that its a bad thing, but the needed limelight for mental
health issues is being unjustly taken away. What terrifies me the most is the absence of the much
needed awareness that we should all inhibit within us because how can we solve a problem if we
arent aware of its existence? I think the answer lies within proper education and understanding
of the risks and threat imposed by ignorance and nonchalance.
Another important subject tackled in this movie is the significance of proper diagnosis. It
is of utmost importance for the mental health professional to be able to identify his or her clients
symptoms to be able to classify what problem the client is going through and to be able to
prescribe the proper medicine and/or therapy. Psychiatrists are the ones who should be extra
careful enough and know how to proper diagnose a client for the medicine he or she prescribes
will definitely have a serious effect on the clients part.
Fueled by hate and anger, Dr. Banks used his profession and resources to take revenge on
Emily, his client. Professional ethics dictates that such action is immoral and dishonorable, but
the plot of the movie made it socially acceptable for the viewers to feel otherwise. If it was me in
his position, it would be a lie not to emulate his example if my whole life was taken away from
me by a single client. Although we are governed by the laws of ethics, it is only human to feel
anger and to seek revenge, but it is dependent upon our conscience and evaluation of the
situation if we will act upon it.

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