The anxiety in Inside Out 2 was so realistic that I started to cry at this scene.
Talks of mental health issues and MAJOR SPOILERS for Inside Out 2 abound at this page. Inside Out 2 presents Anxiety, a character whose accuracy made me cry during one sequence in the film. The latest Pixar film keeps tracking Riley Andersen's inner struggle as an adolescent. Riley turns 13 before the second film, however at the beginning of Inside Out she is 11 years old. Riley's headquarters is destroyed to make place for Inside Out 2's new emotions—ennui, shame, envy, and anxiety—that augment the teen's original five with the start of puberty.
Though Riley's head is full with all the emotions, Anxiety is the newcomer who takes control in Inside Out 2 in an attempt to be ready for any conceivable situation. Anxiety and Joy argue over this since both of them think they know what Riley needs most. Though she has really good intentions, anxiety becomes more and more illogical during Inside Out 2. This results in a wonderfully and agonizingly accurate sequence at the Movie's climax that made me blink my eyes out in the theater accompanied by identical sniffles from other viewers.
Perfectly Captures My Experience With Anxiety Inside Out 2
Anxiety strikes Riley at the end of Inside Out 2 after unintentionally instilling in her harmful belief that "I'm not good enough." She starts working nonstop to undo the disaster she created. Riley begins exhibiting symptoms of an anxiety attack as she picks ever faster. Her breathing speeds up and her heart leaps. Her leg shakes wildly. Her face shows that she freaked out from terrible anxiety and is out of control. Having an anxiety condition, this realistic scenario made me cry very hard since I could relate to Riley's behavior at that very moment.
I have struggled with my brain my whole life, trying to manage the worry that arises for a variety of reasons—sometimes no reason at all. Anxiety episodes overwhelm my mind and body and heighten all those daily encounters. From Riley's eyes to every element in Inside Out 2's anxiety attack scene, every aspect captures my personal experience with generalized anxiety disorder. Furthermore, even while every person experiences anxiety differently, the movie's portrayal of the more universal symptoms makes it relevant for many people who suffer with pathological anxiety. Given the realism, Inside Out 2's anxiety episode could be among the best and most poignant sequences in a Pixar film—which is saying something since the company has never avoided the sad aspects of life. It also shows the reason proper representation counts. Seeing a child onscreen struggle with poor Mental Health has great significance, and it will almost surely help the roughly 7% of children who suffer with anxiety to feel noticed (via NAMI). Only wish something like this had existed when I was a young child.
Inside Out 2 Continues The Positive Representation Of Poor Mental Health Inside The First Movie
Riley's anxiety episode is portrayed in a meaningful way, however the good portrayal of poor Mental Health is not unique to the sequel Movie. Many moviegoers with depression, like myself, found themselves identifying with Riley once the first film opened. Though I don't weep much at movies, truthfully I also shed tears in the theater seeing the original Inside Out. Not only did the viewers observe this resemblance, though. Many experts discussed online the evidence Riley appeared to be experiencing some kind of depressive episode.
According to Dr. Janina Scarlet in Psychology Today, Riley exhibits symptoms of Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood rather than a full-fledged Major Depressive Episode at the conclusion of Inside Out. Riley starts acting irresponsibly, goes through mood swings, gets agitated, and loses interest in things she likes. She also pushes her food about on her plate instead of eating, which symbolizes the changes in appetite experienced with sadness. Though it's important to note that depression comprises a spectrum of symptoms that allow every person to experience it differently, all of these elements provide an agonizingly realistic picture of another frequent mental health illness.
Multiple psychology consultants help to explain the accuracy of the Inside Out Movies.
It is not accidental that the Inside Out films show poor mental health in a good light. Pixar used psychologists to help guide on the brain, emotions, memory, and psychology so guaranteeing accuracy. Via The New York Times, director and writer Pete Docter was guided on the first film by Dr. Paul Ekman and Dr. Dacher Keltner. These two psychologists made sure Docter grasped the science underlying these two difficult subjects.
2009 saw TIME Magazine list Dr. Ekman as one of the 100th most influential persons worldwide (via TIME). Inside Out 2 also brought back Dr. Dacher Keltner and included another psychologist, Dr. Lisa Damour. These two guided the Pixar team toward knowledge of psychology, emotions, and difficulties pertaining to teenage girls. Dr. Damour particularly counseled Riley on the subject of perfectionism in teenage girls, which she encounters in Inside Out 2. She also underlined that, as the eponymous character shows, both good and bad anxiety exist (via MovieGuide). In the end, I appreciate the Pixar crew approaching these movies giving mental health such top priority. The studio is helping to create a society more sympathetic to mental health issues and arming youngsters with the words they need to talk about their experiences by presenting realistic and honest representations of these challenges. Moreover, movies like Inside Out and Inside Out 2 assist in healing the inner child of people just like myself.
The New Emotion Character of Inside Out 2 Anxiety
Taking the idea of the earlier movie, Inside Out 2 develops upon it. Anxiety is one of the first sensations Riley encounters when she enters puberty. Anxiety is shown as a tense and fretful individual who frequently tries to foresee prospective issues and get ready for every conceivable outcome. Although her intentions are excellent, she can frequently become overwhelmed and prone to anxiety attacks, therefore highlighting the severity of the condition.
Inside Out 2's portrayal of anxiety marks a major first towards more animated cinema mental health representation. Offering a window into the perspective of someone with an anxiety condition, the movie explores the complexity of the condition in a relevant and approachable manner. Particularly moving is the film's precise depiction of an anxiety attack in which Riley's heart rushes, her breathing accelerates, and her leg shakes wildly. The scene enables viewers to address the issue with empathy and compassion, therefore helping to demystify fear.
Inside Out 2: a deliberate and moving sequel
The moving and perceptive follow-up Inside Out 2 looks at the difficulties and successes of adolescence. Riley is followed in the movie negotiating high school and the stormy terrain of teenage emotions. Anxiety gives the movie a fresh perspective and emphasizes the need of self-acceptance and the complexity of mental health.
Offering a novel view on the realm of emotions and the human experience, Inside Out 2 is a deserving successor to its well regarded predecessor. Audiences of all ages will find great resonance in the movie's mix of humor and heart as well as its careful examination of mental health. Inside Out 2 reminds us that it's normal to be nervous and that negotiating the complexity of life requires aid and support.
