POV Season 7 Episode 8 Dialogues With Madwomen

Dialogues With Madwomen is the eighth episode of the seventh season of POV, which premiered on PBS in 1994. The episode, directed by Allie Light and Irving Saraf, features five women from different backgrounds who have spent time in mental institutions and have struggled with mental illness.

The women share their stories candidly and in depth, exploring their diagnoses and treatments as well as their experiences in these institutions. They speak about their lives before and after hospitalization, including their relationships, work, and daily routines. Through their experiences, viewers gain a deeper understanding of mental illness and the role of institutions in treating it.

The episode opens with a brief introduction by the directors, who explain that they were inspired by a book of the same name by Laury Sacks. The book featured a series of interviews with women who had been hospitalized for mental illness, and the directors were intrigued by the stories of these women and wanted to bring their voices to a wider audience.

The first woman featured in the episode is Lottie Kidd, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia after suffering a nervous breakdown in her early thirties. She talks about her experiences in a state hospital in Mississippi, where she spent years receiving electroshock therapy and other treatments. She describes her sense of isolation and loneliness during this time, as well as her desire to connect with others who share her experiences.

Next, we hear from Mary Jane Jones, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and spent time in a private mental hospital in the 1960s. She describes the intense isolation and boredom of life in the institution, as well as the stigmatization and shame that she faced upon her release. She also discusses the challenges of managing her illness in her daily life, including the need for medication and therapy.

The third woman featured in the episode is Sylvia Chase, who was hospitalized for depression and anxiety in the late 1970s. She describes her experiences in multiple institutions, including a state hospital in California and a private facility in Texas. She talks about the lack of agency and control that patients have in these environments, as well as the overwhelming sense of powerlessness that she experienced during her treatment.

The fourth woman, Sarah Durkee, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent time in an institution in the 1970s. She discusses her experiences with medication and therapy, as well as her struggles to communicate with her doctors and nurses. She also speaks about her experiences of stigma and discrimination, both within and outside of the institution.

Finally, we hear from Cynthia McLeod, who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and spent time in a state hospital in Texas in the 1980s. She talks about the challenges of managing her illness while also navigating difficult family relationships and coping with trauma. She also describes the various treatments and therapies that she has tried over the years, and how she has built a support network of peers and professionals to help her.

Throughout the episode, the directors intersperse footage of the women in their daily lives, as well as archival footage from mental institutions of the past. These images serve to contextualize the women's experiences and give viewers a sense of the history of mental illness treatment in the United States.

Overall, Dialogues With Madwomen is a powerful and moving exploration of the lives of women who have experienced mental illness and institutionalization. Through their stories, viewers gain a greater understanding of the challenges and complexities of living with mental illness, as well as the ways in which institutions can either support or undermine patients' recovery. The episode is a testament to the resilience and strength of these women, and a call for greater empathy and understanding for those living with mental illness.