You are here:

Questions Answered by Expert Jacob Spilman

Subject	Date Asked
Memory/Dreams	4/29/2011
Q: I'm currently in my last year at school and writing a screenplay which is based around ... A: Interesting question. The first thing that comes to mind is Schizophrenia. This is a gross ...
Heightened imagination with SAD	6/3/2010
Q: In my script, a character suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder. He often gets a 'playback' that's ... A: In a nutshell, yes, some people do experience paranoid thoughts when they smoke pot. This is one of ...
Teenage: Rehab or Mental Institution	3/11/2010
Q: I'm so excited to have found you :) This is a bit long winded; please don’t feel you have to answer ... A: Interesting questions. I'll have to preface what I say by pointing out that my experience is with ...
Major Depressive Disorder / Social Phobia / Mystery Brain Disease	2/16/2009
Q: Okay, the protagonist of my screenplay suffered from both major depressive disorder and social ... A: I've heard of people drinking mouth wash, hair tonic, and other products with alcohol to get a buzz. ...
Major Depressive Disorder / Social Phobia / Mystery Brain Disease	2/16/2009
Q: Okay, the protagonist of my screenplay suffered from both major depressive disorder and social ... A: I don't know of any one disease that would cause all of the symptoms you describe. However, it's ...
A pair of opposites, but no conflict.	12/26/2008
Q: Spilman I am writing a short film in hopes of producing and shopping to festivals. I came up with ... A: Yes, this is an interesting problem. It would seem to me that this couple could meet at a ...
psychology jobs	8/29/2008
Q: This isn't so much about psychology but the profession itself. What type of job can one get with a ... A: There are a good many types of things you can do with psychology. However, as you noted, most types ...
Mental Institutions	7/29/2008
Q: I'm writing a screenplay about a mental institution, and I would like to know what reasons there are ... A: That really depends on a number of things. I'll have to ask some questions before I can give you an ...
Catalepsy	3/31/2008
Q: I'm writing a short about a cataleptic patient and have a few questions I'm hoping you can answer ... A: First of all, I would like to begin by saying that you are asking some excellent questions here. ...
Mental Illness	1/15/2008
Q: First of all I would like to thank you for devoting your time. I am currently working on a spec ... A: Head trauma is a rather complicated issue. That's because the nature of the disturbance depends on ...
Good College	5/15/2007
Q: My name is Hope, and I do not think that my question pertains to your expertise, but I decided to ... A: If I'm not mistaken, UCLA has both a psychology department and a screenwriter's program. I would ...
Intermittent Explosive Disorder	1/30/2007
Q: From what I have read (very little) this disorder seems like it is an uncontrollable outburst of ... A: You are right, someone who has Intermittent Explosive Disorder will exhibit bouts of anger that are ...
my characters	5/24/2006
Q: I am Amanda Houghtelling and I live in Condon, Oregon. I really just need to know how I could get my ... A: I think that the main thing to remember here is that nearly all behavior is an adaptation. The only ...
Psychological info for character in a screenplay	4/6/2006
Q: I am currently working on a screenplay that came from a work of fiction I wrote a year or so ago. ... A: That question is rather long and involved. However, I will comment briefly here and provide you ...
compulsion / obsession	4/4/2006
Q: I am writing a character who is compelled to act when she feels people are in danger. A little ... A: Interesting question. First of all, a true obsession or compulsion isn't usually as well ...
Character Question	2/26/2006
Q: I have been somewhat flummoxed by my own failure to write a 10 year old boy's struggles with his ... A: I'm afraid the scenario you describe is a bit too general. I would need more background on the boy. ...
Dealing with death and illness	1/1/2006
Q: My script is set in the medieval times and includes a mother of 2 getting the black death plauge and ... A: I'm afraid that I don't have the expertise to talk about the black death plague. That's a medical ...
Overcoming cowardice	10/7/2005
Q: Hola! My name is Jose Ramon and I live in Guaynabo, Puerto a suburb of the Greater San Juan ... A: It's difficult to "diagnose" your 12-year-old because the information that you are providing is a ...
Mental health	5/29/2005
Q: Mental Health question on Multiple Personality Or Schizophrenia Is it possible for someone to have ... A: The terms you are seeking are Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder. ...
When can somebody be.....	3/25/2005
Q: When can somebody be considered to be mentally unstable, thus they have to be Mentally ... A: You have quite a few questions here. I'll try to touch on as many of them as I can. If you need ...
Dreams	1/4/2005
Q: I am writing a script and in it I utilize two dream sequences to provide character information. The ... A: Interesting questions you have there. I'll address them one by one: >My question is, what sort of ...
remember me?	11/25/2004
Q: We stuck with neurastehnia. As in the original short story, it's sort of a mystery disease that's ... A: Visit my website: www.counseling.com/spilman. I'll also comment on your last post below: "We stuck ...
remember me?	11/24/2004
Q: You told me about neurasthenia. The director read the script, & wants the patient to have cool, even ... A: I'd be happy to talk to you further about his. However, I would like to know a couple of things. 1) ...
name of illness	11/12/2004
Q: That was terrific, thanks. Now, could you tell me the names of a few medications (intravenus and ... A: Medications? That's out of my scope of practice. However, I'd consider the following for your ...
name of illness	11/9/2004
Q: I think perhaps I missed the first part of your response, though, since this response begins "I just ... A: A bit of the first part did get cut off. Let me recap: Mental illness, up until a hundred years ...
name of illness	11/8/2004
Q: I'm writing a screenplay about a family plagued with a mysterious mental illness. Something that ... A: I just wanted to add, that the term I'm thinking of is "Susto" or "Fear Disease". This is a ...
2 part question	10/27/2004
Q: Spilman, my name is Quentin Lucas and I'm currently writing a novel. I was wondering what ... A: Both of your questions are pretty broad. However, I think that I can give you a good starting place ...
Dreams	9/16/2004
Q: I've seen the movies about dreams such as the Cell and Vanilla Sky, but I was interested in giving a ... A: Having never seen either of those films, I'm not sure what to tell you about them. But, generally ...
family issues	8/20/2004
Q: I am currently writing a play about a sexually abused girl who has to deal with the aftermath. If ... A: Interesting question Katerina. Our current concept of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder would obviously ...
Psychology- mourning	8/10/2004
Q: I'm trying to write a movie to send for college. The premise (so far) is this: a girl (Zoe) is ... A: I think you have to distinguish between fantasy and delusion. It's common for people to work out ...
Schizophrenia	2/12/2004
Q: I am a seocnd year drama and film student who is writing a play that will increase the awearness of ... A: It sounds like you have a fascinating play in mind. I would suggest that you begin your readdings ...
Mental Health Question	10/26/2003
Q: Spilman I'm writing a screenplay at the moment about a Man living a double life with a second wife ... A: I found this to be a very interesting question. Frankly, I don't think that I have either heard of ...
Paranoid schizonphrenic in a movie	8/1/2003
Q: I am considering writing a murder/mystery that takes place at the peak of the Roaring Twenties. The ... A: Interesting idea Julia. I'd suggest you look at the following website on schizphrenia. I think it ...

All Questions in This Category

Writing Plays/Screenwriting

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jacob Spilman

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

I am interested in consulting with screenwriters who wish to obtain accurate psychological information for their screenplays. I can provide answers for a wide variety of mental health, social and therapy related issues: emotional disorders, personality disorders, alcoholism, drug abuse, divorce and blended family issues. I can also provide answers regarding hypnosis, sleep research and dreams. While I am happy to provide information on a variety of mental health topics for artistic and educational purposes, I do not wish to provide professional consultation for personal issues.

Experience

I have a masters degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on marriage, family and child counseling. I am also a non-fiction writer. I have taught at the graduate level at John F. Kennedy University and have provided therapy in a variety of public and private sector organizations.

Encyclopedia

Browse Answers: