“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” Will Always be Tied to Alzheimer’s

Photo: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Source: Variety.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was written by Ken Kesey, which was published in 1962. The book's premise is from Kasey's own personal experiences, from when he was working at a psychiatric ward during the graveyard shift. When this book was published, there was also the institutionalization movement, which was a government policy that moved mentally ill patients to federally funded mental health communities from state-run asylums.

In his own experiences, Kesey never thought that the patients were actually insane. Instead, he believed that it was society that shut them out, just because their behaviors did not conform to what was the norm.

Over the years, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has become a classic. Schools across the United States continue to read it and analyze it, and it even became a show on Broadway. Jack Nicholson, in 1975, was also the main character in the movie, and has earned 5 Academy Awards for his role.

After 18 years, this film was highly regarded by the United States Library of Congress, and the film was to be preserved by the National Film Registry. But, what many may not know is that this beloved literary classic has a profound connection with those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The connection this classic has to a neurodegenerative disease

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Alzheimer’s Disease, including other forms of dementia, are closely connected because of the themes that are present in the story. The story explains the negative effects misunderstanding other people can have, and how stereotyping can make a conflict worsen overall. The novel also talks about the exacerbation of delusions due to avoidance, which results in more suffering for the stricken.

In the movie, Randall Patrick McMurphy, played by Jack Nicholson, is a rebellious convict who becomes an inspiration of confidence, freedom, self-esteem and courage for his fellow patients. However, his behavior is highly detested by Nurse Ratched, the ward chief, who is known to intimidate patients by being passive-aggressive. When McMurphy started to misbehave, like escaping with fellow patients to go fishing, Nurse Ratched's cruelty was more present as she became more strict.

But, this didn't stop McMurphy from gaining a following, including Billy Bibbit, who has a mind like a teenager, and Scanlon, who has destructive delusion.

In one part of the story, McMurphy asked them, “Which one of you nuts has got any guts?” They all responded in the same way as several Alzheimer's patients do.

What did they say? Well, they do have the guts. Just like patients with Alzheimer's do. People with dementia are tirelessly fending off the effects of the disease, while also fending off something else. Many Alzheimer's and dementia patients are also trying to educate and eradicate the stereotype that is associated with them.

Read on to learn how two Alzheimer's patients relate to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.