Table of ContentsNina's Mental Illness in "Black Swan"My Attitude Towards This MatterWorks CitedThe ballet world is very competitive and is known for subjecting dancers to intense pressure in order to become perfect at their roles. Dancers are exposed to many internal and external forces that can produce an extremely stressful environment: there is a demand to maintain a slim but toned figure, constant competition with other dancers in the company, as well as a striving for perfection in their work. -stage performances. Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky, is a film that follows Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a talented ballerina who lands the coveted role of the Swan Queen. While preparing for the role, it is evident that she is the perfect embodiment of the White Swan: innocent, fragile and pure. However, the main challenge of the film is that Nina struggles to play the Black Swan, a dark, attractive and seductive character. The film follows his transition into learning how to become the Black Swan and can also be seen as a metaphor for the physical and psychological challenges one must endure to achieve artistic perfection. While Black Swan is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the sacrifices that must be made to achieve artistic excellence, it is also a film that skillfully depicts Natalie Portman's character suffering from numerous symptoms that can be diagnosed in several psychological disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. , anorexia nervosa and paranoid schizophrenia. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Nina's Mental Illness in 'Black Swan' Throughout the film, Nina suffers from various symptoms that might warrant a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder. . Several times throughout the film, Nina expresses her obsession with being perfect. During rehearsal, Thomas explains, “Over the course of four years, every time you dance, I see you obsessing over the perfection of every move” (Black Swan, 2010). Nina explains her exceptional discipline by saying, “I just want to be perfect. (Black Swan, 2010). Nina's obsession with perfection is reinforced in the fact that, although she is an exemplary dancer, she focuses so intently on the technical aspects of her art that she can no longer "feel" it. Even though she is dying at the end of the film, she makes it a point to tell Thomas, “I felt it. Perfect. I was perfect. (Black Swan, 2010). It is also important to consider that Nina's scratching and other self-injurious behaviors are likely compulsions aimed at reducing her anxiety. She is seen scratching her back after stressful events, such as after dance rehearsals and after reprimands from other members of her company. In fact, this constraint is so strong that Nina's mother was forced to put socks on her hands to prevent her from scratching while she slept. Defined by unreasonable thoughts and repetitive behaviors, OCD combines psychological distress with anxiety. Nina's scratching behaviors reflect the emotional tension as well as anxiety that results from her slow descent into madness, as the demands of the role weigh heavily on her. Additionally, Nina also exhibits symptoms indicative of anorexia nervosa. Although being a professional ballet dancer puts her at increased risk of developing anorexia, there are a number of scenes where Nina makes herself vomit in the bathroom. Although it remains ambiguous as to whether she vomits due to external stresses or to keep her weight light, themovie implies that after vomiting, Nina is relieved of her anxiety. Her extremely thin figure as well as her preoccupation with perfectionism also indicate that she is anorexic. Nina's morbid fear of gaining weight is best seen through her dramatic refusal to eat a single slice of cake after landing the role of the Swan Queen, as well as when she gazes apprehensively at a small grapefruit. Nina's competitive occupation as well as the pressure she faces from both her mother and the director show how her environment is a significant factor in causing her to develop such symptoms. In addition to OCD and anorexia, Nina experiences a large number of vivid, visceral hallucinations and delusions that suggest she is a paranoid schizophrenic. Nina's delusions that Lily (Mila Kunis) wants her back and steal the lead role are made manifest when Thomas makes Lily the Swan Queen's replacement. Nina begins to see Lily's face in herself and others. His psychotic episodes often involve sexual themes that resemble the Black Swan character. These include dramatic hallucinations where Nina has sex with Lily even though Lily claimed to have left the party with another man and Lily has sex with Thomas while Nina is at a dance rehearsal. Finally, in the third act of the film, Nina experiences another psychotic episode during the opening night of the series where she finds Lily in her dressing room. Nina ends up stabbing Lily, killing her. In a turn of events, it is later revealed that Lily was just another hallucination and that in reality, Nina stabbed herself. Although research shows many causes for the development of schizophrenia, Nina's stressful life circumstances, including landing and preparing for the role of the Swan Queen, an overbearing and manipulative mother who smothered her, and abuse at home and at work make her vulnerable to these symptoms. Although it is not explicitly shown in the film when Nina developed these symptoms, it can be assumed that her OCD as well as her symptoms of anorexia began when she was a child, largely due to her mother's efforts to making her a famous ballerina afterwards. she had to give up her career to raise Nina. Additionally, Nina's psychotic episodes and schizophrenic symptoms appear to have begun after she began preparing for the role of the Swan Queen. Due to these problems, Nina finds herself alienated from the other dancers. She is suspicious of everyone around her, including those who are also part of her dance company, focusing only on dancing and her quest for perfection. As mentioned above, Nina's psychotic episodes make her particularly suspicious of Lily and her possible ulterior motives. My attitude towards this matter Although I personally do not like to get involved in other people's affairs, I think that if it were in my place, I would tell Nina that it is good to immerse yourself in the character of the Black Swan, but not at the risk of harming himself and jeopardizing his future. In addition, she should try to finally distance herself from her oppressive mother, because she is holding her back in terms of her development. Society would likely react to Nina the way the other members of her dance company already do: by keeping their distance and avoiding close relationships. To be completely honest, I can't see myself working or living with individuals who are so preoccupied with perfection that it is ultimately dangerous and prevents them from forming meaningful relationships. While it is important to do your best in everything you do,, 12(2), 123-131.