What signs and symptoms did you note that correspond with the diagnosis being portrayed? What coping skills, defense mechanisms, communication styles, family issues, and other mental health/illness concerns did you identify?

Movie reflection: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

1. Summary of the movie, including illness(s) identified in the movie.

2. Was the illness(s) portrayed accurately? Why and/or why not?

3. What signs and symptoms did you note that correspond with the diagnosis being portrayed? What coping skills, defense mechanisms, communication styles, family issues, and other mental health/illness concerns did you identify? (Give a few examples only. This does not need to be an exhaustive list.)

4. How do you think the movie might influence society’s view of mental illness?

5. How does the movie compare to your understanding mental illness and the care of patients with the disorder portrayed in the movie?