In this episode, the first example was between the characters of Ephram Brown and his roommate. The roommate started telling Ephram how he wanted to be a doctor. Ephram asked why, and he said how he had a brother with bipolar disorder. He went on to say how his brother went from doctor to doctor trying to find relief from his illness. He then told how his brother found a doctor that started to help him, gave treatments that worked, and turned his brother around. However, that doctor moved on, and Ephram's roommate went on to say how he wanted to be that kind of doctor to someone someday.
That 90-second scene reflected greatly on how people with bipolar struggle to find relief and reach recovery. It showed viewers how there is never an easy cure for people with this disease, yet demonstrated that we do find hope, and we do find treatments, and are able to succeed, just as this man's brother did after finding the right doctor.
The second part of the show that brought awareness of mental illnesses was a bit on panic attacks. Edna was over at Dr. Brown's house for dinner, along with his daughter Delia. Towards the end of the dinner, Delia Brown said something to her father that brought up an argument. Edna, who was just out of the hospital, insisted she felt fine after watching the argument take place. Towards the end of the evening, as Edna was beginning to leave, she went into what can be described as a panic attack. Dr. Brown was able to get her through it. Afterwards, Dr. Brown brought up the topic of panic attacks to her, and getting treatment for them. She was in denial the entire time. She wouldn't let Dr. Brown say a word, or call them panic attacks, even after his repeated attempts to say it. However, even without each of them of them calling them panic attacks, they both knew exactly what they were talking about.
This scene powerfully showed what it feels like to have a panic attack and what it looks likes as well. It also displayed how people can feel about being in denial of the events, and how it can be easy to refuse treatment or accept the fact you are having them.
The producers of Everwood and the WB network should be commended for these subtle inserts of mental health topics, which in small ways can help reduce stigma. The show and network have proved that you don't need to have the entire show revolve around mental illness to get the messages across. Other networks and shows should start following suit and help reduce stigma through such means.
Posted 4/6/06
