How the 80s Pop Culture Addressed Mental Health Issues

How the 80s Pop Culture Addressed Mental Health Issues

The 80s pop culture was characterized by the popularity of iconic films, music, and television shows. Many of these portrayed various mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, and their effects on the characters. Several of these depictions are still relevant today and have played a significant role in shaping how people perceive mental health issues. Here’s a look at how 80s pop culture portrayed mental health issues.

Depression and Anxiety in Movies and TV Shows

Several movies and television shows in the 80s showcased depression and anxiety. One of the most iconic films was ‘Rain Man’, a story about two brothers, one of whom has autism, and the other who’s dealing with his own mental health issues. The film artistically showed how his anxiety and depression impact his life and relationship with his brother. There’s also the popular sitcom, ‘The Golden Girls,’ that introduced these issues through their character Dorothy. Her struggles with anxiety and depression were realistically portrayed, and the show’s audience appreciated the frankness of such topics discussed on television.

Portrayal of Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse

Eating disorders and substance abuse were also confronted in 80s pop culture. Perhaps one of the most disheartening yet powerful depictions of eating disorders in the 80s is in the film ‘The Best Little Girl in the World.’ The story shows a young teenage girl dealing with an eating disorder who disguises it as athleticism to try to hide it from her family. Substance abuse was also depicted through characters in films like ‘Less Than Zero,’ which is about wealthy teenagers who succumb to drug abuse.

Portrayal of PTSD and Trauma

The 80s also addressed PTSD and trauma in various films such as ‘First Blood’ and ‘Casualties of War.’ Both films depicted soldiers returning from the war and struggling with PTSD. ‘Casualties of War’ is based on a true story where a young soldier gets psychologically affected after his experiences in Vietnam. Trauma was also shown in the 1988 film called ‘Punchline,’ where Sally Field’s character experiences childhood trauma and is forced to learn to confront and overcome it.

Conclusion

It’s truly empowering to witness how the 80s pop culture not only introduced these issues but expertly depicted them. These films, television shows, and music showed that people dealing with mental health issues could seek help, and they didn’t need to silence themselves. A lot of these depictions were trailblazers for raising awareness about mental health issues in mainstream media. The 80s stands as a time when these issues were brought out in the open, giving us tools to approach and cope with mental health issues in healthy ways.