Girl, Interrupted By Susana Kaysen - 1114 Words

Summary: The novel, Girl, Interrupted is a memoir of author Susana Kaysen’s life and her journey through early adulthood as she suffered with Borderline Personality Disorder. The novel captures her time at McLean Hospital, a psychiatric hospital located in Belmont, Massachusetts. Kaysen divides the novel into separate anecdotes of events and fellow patients she encountered during the two years she was admitted at Mclean. Kaysen was only eighteen-years-old on April 27, 1967 when she was first admitted into the medium-security ward of McLean. Her voluntary admission came after an attempted suicide using fifty aspirin. During her time in McLean, Kaysen received treatment in many forms including- medication, therapy and analysis. She met a variety of all suffering from different psychological and psychiatric illnesses. A few of these fellow patients include: Lisa, Georgina, Polly, Lisa Cody and Daisy to name a few. Not only does Kaysen share stories with these fellow patients, but she also discusses everyday routines. For example, she went into detail about the â€Å"checks† that occurred at five, fifteen and thirty minute intervals to ensure the safety of the patients. She also described the weekly trips to the ice cream shop. Kaysen also went into detail about the staff that worked at McLean, including head nurse Valerie who was the nurse patients felt the most comfortable with. It was clear from her anecdotes that McLean had become a sense of home for Kaysen. Kaysen wasShow MoreRelatedGirl Interuppted2146 Words   |  9 PagesGirl Interrupted: Susanna Kaysen’s Mental Illness Katie Casebeer Margaret Gibson Amancio Lopes Molly Rather Boston College PY230 The film, Girl, Interrupted, is based on the life and memoir of Susanna Kaysen. During the late 1960’s Susanna Kaysen, attempted suicide and checked herself into a mental health hospital for two years. This movie adaptation weaves together the intricacies of Susanna’s personal life, the pressures of a changing society and the unexpected friendships she formedRead MoreSusanna Kaysen from Girl Interrupted2095 Words   |  9 PagesCharacter Analysis – Susanna Kaysen from Girl Interrupted This character analysis is based on the character, Susanna Kaysen (played by Winona Ryder), from the feature film ‘Girl Interrupted’ directed by James Mangold and distributed by Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. in 1999, Rated MA15+. The film is based on the true story of Susanna Kaysen’s time in a mental institution, set in the 1960s. Exploring Susanna Kaysen’s character through an interactional viewpoint, many psychological conceptsRead MoreThe Movie Girl, Interrupted1281 Words   |  6 PagesThe movie Girl, Interrupted focuses on the character Susanna Kaysen along with other girls who have an array of mental disorders. These women all reside at the Claymoore Mental Health Facility. For instance, Daisy was sexually abused by her father and has serious eating issues, also known as a compulsive eating disorder. Daisy binges on rotisserie chicken from her father’s shop, in the privacy of here room. She feels uncomfortable eating in front of others. Lisa, who seems to be the leader of theRead MoreI Watched The Film Girl, Interrupted Starring Winona Ryder And Angelina Jolie Essay1689 Words   |  7 Pages1 A: I watched the film Girl, Interrupted starring Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie. The film is based on a true story of a young woman with borderline personality disorder named Susana Kaysen. Following a suicide attempt, Susana admits herself into a psychiatric hospital with the encouragement of a mental health professional. Throughout the film, when Susana describes what she experiences psychologically, as well as flashbacks to her previous life in a detached and sulked tone –emphasizing the detachmentRead MoreGirl Interrupted Analysis Essay1848 Words   |  8 PagesGirl, Interrupted (1999) directed by James Mangold is largely based on a semi- autobiographical book by the same title. The movie chronicles eighteen year old Susanna Kaysen’s experiences surrounding her stay at a mental institution. It is 1967, a time of social change and unrest. Susanna makes a half-heart attempt at suicide, ingesting a bottle of aspirin and chasing the pills with a bottle of vodka. She is taken to the emergency room, her stomach is pumped and she survives. Afterwards she meets