The representation of mental disorders in literature: an analysis from the current perspective
Keywords:
mental disorders; diagnosis, literature; cultural representationAbstract
Introduction: Literature has served as a reflection of the human condition and has captured mental disorders from historical and cultural perspectives. This article explores representations in classic and modern works and aligns them with current classifications.
Objective: To analyze examples of key mental disorders in literature and identify possible diagnoses according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Revised (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11) to foster interdisciplinary understanding.
Method: Review of iconic fictional literature, mapping to modern diagnostic criteria, with multiple examples per disorder. Based on academic sources from PubMed.
Development: Major depressive disorder (The Bell Jar, Hamlet), schizophrenia (I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, Don Quixote), bipolar disorder (A Troubled Mind, Mrs. Dalloway), and post-traumatic stress disorder (Slaughterhouse-Five, The Yellow Wallpaper) are examined, with direct diagnoses.
Conclusion: Literature humanizes mental disorders, reduces stigma, and aligns with modern classifications to enrich dialogues.
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May 1, 2026
