In watching the movie “The Talented Mr. Ripley” one only has to complete the first scene to become aware that there is a plethora of mental health issues present, particularly with Tom Ripley. Before I move into the film, the locations and the vibrant representation of 1950s Europe explored where captivating. Not to mention exceptional acting on the parts of Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law. Personal sentiments concerning the quality of the film aside, clinically this movie provides a target rich environment for the mental health professional. To begin with the protagonist Tom Ripley, played by Matt Damon, is without question suffering from several depilating and dangerous psychological disorders. To the layman Ripley’s character would remind one of a conman but to a subject matter expert there is a great deal more. Examining Tom Ripley’s behavior throughout the entirety of film there are some omnipresent themes that arise. First, I would like to highlight the most severe of said maladaptive behavior and attempt to diagnose Mr. Ripley using the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
DIAGNOSIS:
To start with I would like to address the obvious Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) that is listed as one of ten disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). (ASPD) can be located under the listing of