American women in the 1950’s and 60’s experienced an upswing in diagnoses of mental illnesses characterized as anxiety disorders. Sexism in the field of psychiatry and sexism inherent in society helped to assign abnormality to any woman who resisted or experienced dissatisfaction with traditionally female gender roles. This resulted in rampant prescription of medications like stimulants, tranquilizers, and psychoactive drugs to American women. Films produced during this era simultaneously reinforced traditional gender roles and normalized the use of drugs to help women abide oppressive societal expectations. Current research does not make the connection between the phenomenon of sexism in psychiatry and society, traditional gender role expectations as portrayed in film during the 1950’s and 60’s, and the rise in the medication of American women. This research explores the role of films produced during this era in the normalization of medicating America’s women.
