The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions

Content Warning: The source material features depictions of violence and mental illness. Additionally, the source material cites offensive terms for people who have mental illnesses, which is replicated in this guide only in direct quotes of the source material.

Mental illness is a complex and pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and societies. In The Best Minds, Rosen explores the debilitating symptoms and effects of mental ill-health for those who experience it. He also traces the impact of mental disorders on those who come into contact with people who have mental illnesses, from friends and loved ones to members of wider society. 

The impact of mental disorders on individuals is primarily explored through Michael. Michael’s experiences of paranoid schizophrenia underscore the profound impact of mental illness on a person’s life, affecting their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and well-being. Michael’s most debilitating symptoms are paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. The author conveys the energy his friend expends, spending “the bulk of his brainpower fending off fragments of the unreal world” (297). Michael’s delusions range from believing his bed is on fire every morning to the conviction that alien beings have replaced his loved ones. These disturbing illusions turn Michael’s daily life into a nightmarish experience.