Lisa Rowe ( Angelina Jolie ) is diagnosed as a sociopath, is the most powerful personality on the ward. She apparently takes some pride in her diagnosis. Lisa whose introduction establishes her as an angry, very aggressive rebel prone to escape and recapture. Her disregard for authority makes her a frustrating and entertaining figure in the eyes of the other girls. She is an ex-junkie who never sleeps and barely eats, and enjoys making trouble for the staff. Antisocial Personality Disorder(ASPD or APD) (DSM-IV, 301. ) is defined by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. The individual must be age 18 or older, as well as have a documented history of a conduct disorder before the age of 15. People having antisocial personality disorder are sometimes referred to as “sociopaths” and “psychopaths”. Symptoms •Persistent lying or stealing •Superficial charm Apparent lack of remorse[4] or empathy; inability to care about hurting others •Inability to keep jobs or stay in school •Impulsivity and/or recklessness •Lack of realistic, long-term goals — an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals •Inability to make or keep friends, or maintain relationships such as marriage •Poor behavioral controls — expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper Narcissism, elevated self-appraisal or a sense of extreme entitlement •A persistent agitated or depressed feeling (dysphoria) •A history of childhood conduct disorder •Recurring difficulties with the law •Tendency to violate the boundaries and rights of others •Substance abuse •Aggressive, often violent behavior; prone to getting involved in fights •Inability to tolerate boredom •Disregard for the safety of self or others •Persistent attitude of irresponsibility and disregard for social rules, obligations, and norms •Difficulties with authority figures [6]
Lisa is a natural born leader and provocateur, igniting conflicts and crises for fun, while also bringing a bit of excitement and adventure into the ward. The girls fear her, but are also drawn to her energy and her courage. Susanna, the main character diagnosed as borderline personality disorder, avoids Lisa at first. The main parts of the movie depicts the group dynamic that develops among the girls, with emphasis on the bond between Susanna and Lisa. There may be the odd similarity between Susanna and Lisa, as dissimilar as they surely are.
Neither is truly mentally ill, but both are desperate for refuge from the demands of living in the real world. One main scene that I thought they where similar was when Lisa and Susanna find out Daisy’s secret under her bed. Daisy is hurt and affected by their laughing and how embarrassed she is. Neither Lisa nor Susanna felt any remorse for teaming up on Daisy. At the end of the movie, Lisa verbally attacks Daisy at Daisy’s home causing Daisy’s suicide. While Daisy is hung by her neck, Lisa goes through her pockets to get the money Daisy’s father gave her with no care or remorse.
