As a famous actor, Joan had it all, a thriving career, doting boyfriend, and an extravagant mansion, yet Joan felt incomplete, lacking something to give her life purpose, a baby. Joan was determined to be a mother, so she adopted a little girl, Christina. Although happy with her life, Joan always felt like things could be better. Because of her father’s abandonment as a child, Joan developed many psychological disorders. As stated earlier, many things can influence psychological disorders, including stress and trauma. Being “Hollywood Royalty”, Joan always felt the need to live up to the expectations of others, and she lost herself in the process. Christina, Joan’s daughter, was often the target of Joan’s aggression. Joan was happiest when she was being adored by her fans, but behind closed doors she was a miserable monster. Joan had to be in constant control of everything, and if one thing were out of order, she would go on a rampage. Christina, over time learned how to please her mother, but simultaneously developed a deep-rooted hatred for her. Carol Ann, the Crawford’s’ maid, was often the glue that held the family together. In the hope that she could give them the resemblance of a normal childhood, Carol Ann often took care of Christina and Christopher while Joan attended lavish parties. Joan Crawford was a narcissist who thought only of herself and her fans. In …show more content…
It is also hard for these people to maintain healthy relationship. Joan Crawford showed many signs of borderline personality disorder throughout Mommie Dearest. One example can be seen in throughout her many marriages. Joan Crawford was married four times, all of them resulting in divorce, minus her last marriage to Alfred Steele, where she was widowed. Joan is shown throughout most of them movie with her boyfriend, Greg. In one scene, Greg and Joan are shown in a restaurant, having a marvelous time, however they have to push through the throng of her fans to get to the entrance. When Greg and Joan finally sit down together, she starts lecturing him about how he should have stuck by her side. One minute she was happy with him, and the next, she was lecturing him like a child. Ultimately, their relationship ended, and he was cut out of her life. Perhaps the most memorable scene, which depicts her borderline personality disorder, can be summed up into three words, “No wire hangers!” Joan walked into Christina’s room and looked upon her sleeping daughter. At first this scene was very affectionate, showing the love between a mother and a daughter. This scene turned into a nightmare in the blink of an eye when Joan walked into Christina’s closet and saw her daughter’s elegant dress upon a wire hanger. She then proceeded to wake her daughter, and