How Horror Misrepresents Mental Health: A Critical Look at Ed Gein

There are many who misunderstand the mental health community, and it’s because the entertainment industry creates films and series that could be harmful. Don't get me wrong--I love an entertaining series, especially when it's on the romantic or thrilling side, but when gore or anything that can make me even slightly queasy—turn it off immediately. I just spent over an hour and a half watching Monster: The Ed Gein Story. It was just one episode and minimal research, but I gathered what I needed to analyze his diagnosis.

For those who are like me and have a weak stomach, so you can't bear to watch it, or don't know the Ed Gein story, I'll spare you and tell you he was said to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. Let me stop you there real quick--you're probably wondering, "What started my fascination?" I wouldn't even call it fascination — more like a defense. See, my friend with Neurofibromatosis (I have her permission to share this) was watching this limited series on Netflix and pointed out how it was potentially harmful.

Of course, my ears perked up, and I did my research. At first, it was very little because I was still a college student when I was approached with this concern. When I had the time, I did a deeper dive. Now, here we are, where I need to clarify these misunderstandings, because this is from experience. So, fair warning, this is not to excuse anyone going through a mental crisis, but to explain their state of mind. Let's get into these important distinctions about mental illness. 

If you're not familiar with schizophrenia, according to National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. I've experienced the mental illness first and second hand, so I know that people with this illness are more likely to be the victim of an attack, not the attacker. Do you see where I'm going with this blog? You should.

SINKING SHIP

If you need me to dive deeper, here’s where I’m getting at. When you have a mental health issue, you are vulnerable to yourself and others. When you leave a person with a mental illness in distress, they are more likely to react in a negative manner, but that doesn’t make the person irrational or evil.

People with a crisis like this are more vulnerable to triggers than others, and this underlines the importance of being emotionally intelligent and compassionate to others. When I say so many individuals live with untreated mental illnesses, it is not an understatement. There are factors, and the two biggest reasons work hand in hand: judgment and trauma. This has been a problem—it’s nothing new, people are just now starting to call it out.

For example, Friday the 13th—Jason Voorhees is depicted as a villain who hears his mother’s voice to choose his victims. In reality, he was just a deeply traumatized being who was treated as if he had no humanity. Another example is Texas Chainsaw Massacre—Leatherface was a villain who sought after those he felt threatened by. Why, you ask? Because there was abuse in the household, and it constantly felt distressed.

Similar in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, the series simplifies his psychological state. Instead, in the series before he committed any of his crimes, Gein was a sweet human being who had a dark fascination with the Holocaust. If you don’t know what the Holocaust is, I highly recommend you do some research on it because it will help your understanding of Gein.

This dark fascination soon manifested itself in the world with the help of his mother’s twisted teachings. In the series, she would often project her self-hatred onto him and tell him he was unlovable and the only person who could ever love him was her. Soon after her death, he started hearing her voice. He latched onto what gave him the feeling of warmth.

THE REAL HAZE

Sadness is a very strong emotion. It can cause confusion in some and make us do things we normally wouldn’t. You can have an interaction with someone who looks fine on the outside and expresses positive emotions. Then you flip a switch in the person you interacted with in just one second with one sentence.

For those who have the audacity to tell someone, “you’re just too sensitive,”… pardon? That phrase often says more about the speaker than the person they’re addressing. Emotional dismissal is frequently learned behavior, passed down through unresolved trauma. It’s called being stuck in a cycle. What your parents caused, they pass onto you—not just genetically, but it can also be learned.

Before we’re adults, we’re babies. If the fact that it can confuse didn’t make you a bit wary, allow me to introduce the fact that it can be fatal. You heard me right—fatal. There are reports of people dying from a broken heart. The most famous being Debbie Reynolds, who died a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher.

Sadness is no joke for you to laugh. Every human has emotions—positive and negative. So when you say one thing that isn’t made to be seen in a positive light, either by the person themselves or society, it can hit hard, even if it’s just a stranger. The mental health community isn’t the only minority that has been affected by this industry, although we will focus on these individuals. The spotlight needs to shine on all minority groups, so there can be growth in this world.

ALIMONY

Notice the sub-heading—yeah, it’s because the world has caused suffering to many, consciously or unconsciously. As your big sister, I am protecting people who are on both sides of the spectrum. This isn’t any isolated incident. People need to be more mindful of their words and actions.

This doesn’t just make things “simpler” for the person who is suffering, but also for the perpetrator. If I know my audience, you’re probably asking, “How?” Well, so both parties are unharmed. No one’s pondering over something negative that might have been said or done. 

Words as well as actions matter. That’s why I always tell you at the end of a blog post, even if you disagree with what I’m saying, you can leave me a comment. Just make sure that the comment is respectful and backed up by research. I’m not just a creator, but I’m an intelligent creator who can determine if they’re being manipulated or not. And I want that for you, too.

Michaela Hayes

Editorial Lead, TLN