Everyone has likely experienced anxiety before. Maybe it was situational anxiety like feeling nervous the night before a big interview or moments before public speaking to a crowd. Or, it was long-term anxiety like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), where you experience all-consuming, constant worrying for at least six months, says clinical psychologist and author of “Generation Anxiety,” Lauren Cook, PsyD.
The thing about generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or even situational anxiety is that it’s often internal and difficult to recognize in others, meaning that many people don’t see or discuss it in their everyday lives, explains Bonnie Zucker, PhD. 3.1 percent of the United States population has GAD but only 43 percent of people are receiving treatment.
There are many reasons why people don’t seek treatment but one thing remains true: since anxiety is often internal, it’s difficult to identify any signs and symptoms. Ruminating and overthinking can be considered normal to the individual, which prevents folks from 1) recognizing their anxiety and 2) getting treatment. But that’s where accurate representation of anxiety and GAD comes in to help.
Why Media Portrayals Are So Important
Media portrayals can serve as an opportunity to understand emotions, destigmatize mental illnesses, and allow people to feel less alone. What’s more, research says that negative or inaccurate portrayal of traits like mental disorders or illnesses can lead to a negative perception for viewers who don’t have the disorder and those who are affected by it.
Additionally, it can be validating if a character is relatable and has admiral qualities but is also portrayed as having GAD. “It can allow people to see that someone can be high-functioning and doing well in other areas of their life, while also struggling with some of the same things that I am,” says Dr. Zucker.
Ahead, you’ll find ten movies that people with anxiety and GAD felt accurately portrayed their mental health conditions, ranging from kid-friendly cartoons that can help kids understand their complicated emotions to psychological thrillers that explore the deeper nuances of anxiety.
“Aquamarine” — Maddi M., 23
At first glance, “Aquamarine” seems like a playful movie about mermaids, but it delves deeper as Claire, the main character, grapples with her best friend moving across the world. “My experience with GAD is similar to Claire’s—she’s an expressive over-thinker who gets visibly anxious in uncomfortable social situations like her best friend leaving,” says Maddi.
Claire’s parents drowned when she was younger, and when a bully threatened to push her into a pool, Maddi remembers “seeing the anxiety hit as her brain processes water as a traumatic space.” Maddi likens this to how her GAD intensifies when triggered.
“Annie Hall” — Marianna M., 31
Directed by Woody Allen, this 1997 film explores the complexities of modern relationships through the romance between Alvy Singer and Annie Hall. Alvy struggles with deep-rooted anxiety and neuroses, with one memorable scene depicting his inability to eat until his anxiety subsides. Marianna relates to this portrayal, noting how stress disrupts her eating habits similarly.
“Whilst I couldn’t quite make sense of my issues, at one time, watching this scene made me realize that this wasn’t an isolated incident that only I experienced,” says Marianna.
Dr. Zucker adds that while many media portrayals over-dramatize GAD and other anxiety diagnoses, Woody Allen films often capture the realities of mental illness more accurately.
“Black Swan” — Ana N., 20
This 2010 psychological thriller follows Nina, a ballerina whose passion for dance takes over every part of her life, exploring themes of obsession and perfectionism.
Nina’s perfectionism feels relatable to Ana’s anxiety about worrying about her performance at work and personal matters. “Most of the time I strive to be perfect and struggle when that doesn’t happen,” says Ana.
“Inside Out 2” — Jenny D., 25
With Riley entering her teenage years, new emotions have emerged, including Anxiety. The film illustrates the build-up of worry, doubt, and self-judgment associated with anxiety and culminates in Riley’s first panic attack. “As Riley and Anxiety launched into this spiral in tandem, I knew on such a deeply personal level what that was like,” says Jenny.
The blurred haze of Anxiety zooming around the control panel trying to ‘fix everything’ was relatable, but it was when the film revealed that Anxiety was actually frozen in place inside the swirl of chaos, eyes wide open with tears, suffering in silence, that I couldn’t help but cry myself.
She adds that the film’s ending meant the most to her, notably how Anxiety wasn’t characterized as a villain. “Anxiety is part of you, and that’s okay!” Jenny says. “It has taken me over a decade to realize the answer to dealing with anxiety was to embrace it rather than push it away. I would have done anything to have a movie like this in my childhood—I think it would have improved my life significantly.”
“Eighth Grade” — Sarah T., 18
Ah, the totally stable, not-at-all melodramatic emotions that come with being in eighth grade.
“Eighth Grade” is a 2018 coming-of-age film that follows Kayla, a socially awkward and introverted teenager navigating the challenges of her final week of middle school. In one scene Kayla narrates the nerves she constantly experiences, even when she is doing nothing. She describes it as the feeling of “butterflies in your stomach” often associated with a rollercoaster ride. However, while most people’s butterflies disappear after the ride, hers never go away.
“I remember when I was in eighth grade, and even sometimes now, feeling the same way she did throughout the film and constantly worrying about what other people thought of me,” says Sarah.
“Whiplash” — Isaac S., 25
“Whiplash” is a 2014 psychological drama that explores the intense relationship between an ambitious young jazz drummer, Andrew, and his demanding music instructor. Although the film never explicitly says that Andrew’s actions are tied to anxiety, Issac felt that Andrew’s pursuit of greatness led to a portrayal that was “deeply relatable” to how he experiences GAD.
“The physical and emotional damage he endures resonates with me because I feel driven by the same relentless need to excel,” says Isaac.
“His hands bleed as he pushes himself to improve, and his teacher symbolizes his inner critic—the voice that constantly tells him he’s not good enough.”
“Good Will Hunting” — Sydney H., 20
Will Hunting, the eponymous character of this 1997 drama, portrays a brilliant young janitor at MIT whose genius abilities are discovered by a professor who wants to help him reach his potential. After being arrested, Will is required to seek therapy where he begins to uncover his struggle to envision a positive future, fear of failure, and habit of pushing people away before they have a chance to leave or hurt him. All experiences Sydney says resonated with her and her generalized anxiety disorder.
“I related to this movie a lot when reflecting on my college friendships,” says Sydney. “Like Will, I struggle to let my guard down, fearing I’ll get hurt if I let people in.”
”Mean Girls“ — Julia B., 24
Raise your hand if you’ve been personally victimized by Regina George…or the anxiety that comes with high school social dynamics.
“Mean Girls” follows Cady as she relocates from Africa to the suburbs of Illinois and gets a new taste of public high school life. The anxiety Julia felt through high school and college felt similar to Cady’s, although it never culminated in any bus accidents.
“The anxiety of wanting to fit in and have friends, feeling like that is the only thing that matters in the world,” says Julia. “You can do and say things without a thought because your body is so naturally driven to curb that social anxiety and get that quick fix of social validation.”
“Silver Linings Playbook” — Allie S., 25
This romantic comedy follows Pat, who is navigating a recent bipolar disorder diagnosis and has just been released from a psychiatric hospital, and his unique relationship with Tiffany, who also struggles with her mental health. Although Pat isn’t directly dealing with anxiety, there is one scene—when Pat spits out a pill that he is given—that reminds Allie of her relationship with medication.
Allie S., 25
Realistically, this probably happens all the time with people with anxiety who struggle coming to terms with the fact they might need medication.
— Allie S., 25
Plus, research says that at least half of those with BD are likely to develop an anxiety disorder in their lifetimes and a third of them will manifest an anxiety disorder at any point in time.
“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” – Hannah S., 26
“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” follows 16-year-old Craig, who struggles with anxiety and depression, as he checks himself into a psychiatric hospital and finds support and friendship from other patients.
“It was spot on in portraying how GAD creates racing thoughts and messes with your perception of reality, as well as how anxiety can make your head feel like an unsafe place,” says Hannah.
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