From a professional point of view, the film is full of suspense as it presents, from the manic state of the heroine at the beginning, to the visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, and loss of insight that appear in the middle stage, and then to the later stage. The appearance of motor behavior disorder (stupor and waxy flexion), these symptoms are almost undoubtedly pointed to the catatonic type of schizophrenia, if the accompanying epilepsy is ignored.
Epilepsy is a brain disease, but the heroine's brain MRI test is normal! For this reason, the epilepsy symptoms were regarded as a companion to the psychiatric symptoms when the heroine was initially diagnosed. Just when the heroine was about to be sent to a mental hospital, a good doctor appeared. He tested it from a completely different direction and observed the heroine around the clock. It turned out that she was both day and night. Only the right hand was used for the movement, and the symptoms of neglect appeared, that is, only the right half of the image could be drawn. These evidences can prove that her right brain was seriously injured, so the direction of diagnosis and treatment was completely revised. After the efforts of the doctors, the heroine was finally diagnosed with a rare immune system disease-aspartate receptor antibody hypertrophy. This condition often has an acute attack, starting with epilepsy symptoms, and has a high mortality rate.
The heroine is lucky. After half a year of treatment, she is gradually recovering. If she is diagnosed with schizophrenia, then it is very likely that she will never be discharged from the hospital or see the world again.
The heroine's interpretation of the symptoms of the disease is very good, and it also fully embodies the spirit of humanistic care. From doctors to family members to colleagues, they are full of human brilliance, which is very real and moving.
PS: You can refer to "Abnormal Psychology", "Neuropsychology" or "Cognitive Psychology" for the above professional knowledge.
View more about Brain on Fire reviews
