Teenage kids usually have a hard time growing up with just two parents. Imagine how difficult it would be if your mother had three extra personalities on the side.
That is the story of the new showtime series, ‘United States of Tara,’ which details the story of a family where the mother has dissociative identity (formerly known as multiple personality) disorder.
Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, the show is written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody ("Juno") and stars Academy Award-nominated actress Toni Collette as the main character. Toni plays Tara with three alter egos: Alice, a 1950s Betty Crocker perfectionist housewife, Buck, a violent Vietnam vet and T, a provocative teenager.
Premiering on January 18, 2009, the show spotlights an important issue that many families have to deal with. I’m hoping this will educate and inform people.
TV Shows About Mental Illness
'United States of Tara' Deals with Dissociative Identity Disorder
Trend Themes
1. TV Shows About Mental Illness - Create TV shows that explore mental illness, raising awareness and promoting understanding.
2. Dissociative Identity Disorder Portrayals - Portray characters with dissociative identity disorder accurately and sensitively in TV shows and movies.
3. Mental Health Representation in Media - Include more narratives about mental health in the media to reduce stigma and encourage conversations.
Industry Implications
1. Film and Television - Incorporate mental health storylines in TV shows and movies to reflect real-life experiences and promote empathy.
2. Healthcare and Therapy - Develop new therapies and treatment options for individuals with dissociative identity disorder.
3. Media and Entertainment - Increase representation of mental health issues in media to raise awareness and foster a supportive culture.