‘Premaya Nam’; a psychological movie to change stereotypes

BY Ashoke Priyadarshana – Psychologist

Abnormal Psychology and DSM

Defining ‘abnormality’ would be a tough nut to crack even in the field of psychology since the manner in which people behave seems to be different from a culture to another; and as it is hard to draw a concrete conclusion about what abnormality is. Abnormal psychology which is one of the most popular branches in modern psychology is primarily focused on abnormal behaviours manifested in human beings and the symptoms and the syndrome of mental illnesses and mental disorders. Diagnostic statistical Manual of Disorders ( DSM) which is also known a standard manual that lists all the classifications of mental disorders is globally accepted by many in spite of cultural differences; yet , it has also been argued that classification of mental illnesses should be culturally sensitive because what has been generalized as mental illnesses may not be necessarily considered as psychological disorders by certain cultures. Anyhow, DSM (V)  is now being used by many mental health professional in the field so as to diagnose and treat mental disorders. What is elaborated theoretically in the text is applied in praxis in the field of clinical psychology. As professionals dealing in both counseling and abnormal psychology, it is often seen that the number of patients suffering from mental disorders is on the increase due to a number of reasons.

‘Premaya Nam’; a movie based on OCD

‘ Premaya Nam’ ( Dirty, Yellow, Darkness) , a recently produced movie by kalpana Ariyawansha and Vindana Ariyawansha seems to be based on a much needed topic to be discussed in the society.  The movie is centered to a person who becomes anxious due to a psychological disorder known ‘Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) ‘.  The movie has provoked me to write a psychological review in that regard since we encounter many patients suffering from anxiety disorders such as OCD. It goes without saying that the effort taken by Ariyawansha brothers has to be adored as they have opened a new dimension on mentally- ill patients. Vishwa (Shyam Fernanado) , the protagonist of the narration is suffering from OCD that is categorized under  anxiety disorders.

OCD

Subjects with this disorder often experience recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images associated with anxiety. Anxious thoughts known ‘obsessions’ are usually linked with  ‘compulsive behaviours’. Compulsive behaviours refer to overt and covert repetitive actions such as washing, checking, ordering, counting and saying certain words silently.

Vishwa undergoes a troublesome period

 Vishwa who is married to Samadhi ( Samanali Fonseka) is under severe anxiety as he needs to bath a long period of time after urinating. As a consequence, he who avoids having physical relationships with his wife for fear of his own urine seems to have no physical relationship with his wife.  He is afraid of being contaminated with his own urine as he thinks it is consisted of germs; and he also believes the ones who get closer to him might also be contaminated. In the meantime, he keeps his hands in his chest level (perhaps not consciously) in order to prevent from touching and holding materials that are believed to be consisted of germs. Vishwa who is not able to deal with anxious thoughts is fired from his job and his wife also leaves him; but she apparently makes every possible effort to make him cure. This incident perhaps becomes the turning point of the artifact and Vishwa who doesn’t witness any positive outcomes of undergoing prescribed medicine decides to admit himself to a mental hospital; perhaps, He would have been wanted to bring Samadhi back to his life.

Vishwa admits to a mental hospital

Period in which he stays in mental hospital is indeed inspirational as it reinforces us as ordinary people to change our stereotypical views on so called ‘lunatic asylum’ in general terms. In a situation where the social perception on mental patients in the current society should be changed,‘ Premaya Nam’ induces us to change our perception. Even if Vishwa is not a psychotic patient, he witnesses a number of innocent persons suffering from various mental illnesses such as schizophrenia in his ward.  Mental hospitals should be understood as a place where the patients with severe mental illnesses are rehabilitated with immense care until they come back to their realistic life.

Atmosphere of the hospital

It is adorable the manner in which the nursing staff as well as the doctor treat the patients in the movie. A word with compassion will console patients rather than prescribing tablets. Nursing staff who seems much patient in dealing with mentally disturbed patients pays much attention to their improvement empathically.  The atmosphere in a hospital as well as in a mental hospital should be friendly enough so that patients can become psychologically relaxed. One of the major objectives of mental hospitals would be modifying the patients’ maladaptive behaviours. Friendly atmosphere with a pleasant environment and a kind-hearted staff may reinforce patients to modify their unadjusted behaviours. 

 Vishwa is on the verge of exposure therapy 

Vishwa who undergoes therapies doesn’t witness satisfactory outcomes; then, the doctor assigns him to write on his personal experiences caused by his disorder. Memories with Samadhi are reawakened as a consequence of the given assignment. There, he understands how his wife has had to undergo embarrassing moments because of his disorder. The given assignment motivates vishwa to re-adjust his abnormal acts and he himself gradually tries to correct the behaviour. Ultimately, Vishwa has no choice except undergoing the ‘exposure therapy’ where he is to be bathed by a bucket of his own urine. On the day that he is to undergo the therapy, Samadhi gets to know that his husband should not undergo the exposure therapy as he seems recovered from his obsessions and compulsions.

Perception on mentally-ill persons is not satisfactory

In accordance with Ariyawansha brothers, the movie is based on a true story. It is obviously seen that there are many patients in the country who are suffering from mental disorders such as OCD and who are not sought psychological assistance. As noted above, the perception on mental illnesses in our country doesn’t seem satisfactory and as a result people with such disorders may be reluctant to go for further treatments and therapies. The movie is therefore adorable from a psychological point of view in addition to its artistic importance.  Vishwa is labeled ‘psycho’ by his mother-in-law and the father-in- law; and it is perhaps the general social cognition of the society on patients suffering from mental disorders.

We are susceptible to mental disorders

 Neurotic patients are not generally taken to mental hospitals since they are mostly occupied by psychotic patients. Psychotic patients who are unable to focus on the realistic nature of their life need to be kept in mental hospitals until they become normal. In this narration, Vishwa despite his neurotic condition admits himself to a mental hospital where he witnesses a number of psychotic patients. There is high probability for us as ordinary persons to be susceptible to neurotic disorders whereas patients suffering from psychotic illnesses seem to be relatively low. The condition of Vishwa is in, indicates that all of us can be susceptible to such neurotic conditions whereas his ‘perception’ on psychotic patients urges us to change our perception on psychotic patients. Psychotic patients are also human beings; and they can be functional as usual with our support.

Movie is not a mere love story

The definition of World Health Organization ( WHO) on ‘ Health’ stresses the equilibrium of both physical and psychological well-being. Many people like Vishwa are suffering from mental difficulties; yet they are reluctant to go for therapies. It has to borne in mind that mental illnesses are as frequent as physical illnesses. Thus, no one should be afraid of undergoing treatments and it is not an embarrassment. Collaborative effort made by the mental health professionals cures Vishwa. Persons around the patients with psychological illnesses have to play a vital role in planning the treatment. Samadhi also indirectly reinforces Vishwa to get out of the trouble. We as psychologists often stress the importance of being with the patient and not letting him/her down.  ‘Premaya Nam’ is not a mere love story; but a movie that urges us to project love to all including mentally-ill patients.