The fourth season of “Stranger Things” is enjoyable, but is also relevant to adolescent psychiatry. In the story, high school teens are bullied by a monster named Vecna that haunts them based on their own traumas. It is a good representation of how people externalize disorders. On the other hand, the show’s portrayal of teens smoking marijuana is concerning. Too many youths wrongly believe that marijuana can help combat stress and depression. Another concern relates to the school counselor in the show, who may be working with Vecna. This sends the wrong message to at-risk adolescents, that counselors and teachers may be working against them.
Key Takeaways:
- It may be beneficial that season 4 of stranger things doesn’t allow waters to externalize the things that bother them.
- When externalizing something like an eating disorder, someone is taught to see it as something else, like a monster.
- Patients are often taught to give the disorder that is hurting them, a name.
“During this season, a monster called “Vecna” bullies different teens of Hawkins High School by immersing them in experiences of whatever may be “haunting” them ranging from an eating disorder to trauma to parental disapproval.”
