A therapist’s reaction to Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

With a new season of Bridgerton approaching, let’s take a look at the conversations surrounding Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

The topic of mental health frequently arises in the show. One of the main protagonists, King George, is otherwise known as “the mad King”. But what does this mean? What did it mean to be “mad” back then? Was there treatment available for his mental health issues? 

What mental health symptoms does King George exhibit?

Throughout Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, King George exhibits a range of behaviours that suggest underlying mental health conditions. His intense fixation on solitary activities, such as spending excessive time in the observatory, could be indicative of autism spectrum disorders, where individuals often have focused interests and find comfort in routine.

The King’s behaviour reflects a belief that everything he does is correct, and those around him are too fearful to challenge him. This raises the question: is this a mental health issue or the result of a lifetime of being told he is infallible? 

His inability to connect emotionally with others, shutting down when they display emotion, and lack of self-care—such as running in the cold at night without shoes—highlight a significant disconnect from reality, suggesting delusions and paranoia. These behaviours align with psychotic episodes or mania, characterised by high energy, delusions, and eventually a severe crash into exhaustion.

The role of Queen Charlotte

Queen Charlotte’s intelligence and compassion play a crucial role in managing King George’s condition. Her ability to provide him with calm, love, and a safe space demonstrates a deep understanding of his needs. Even if she doesn’t fully grasp the nature of his illness. 

Her desperation and confusion about what’s wrong with George—and her tendency to blame herself—reflect the broader historical and ongoing struggle to understand mental health issues.

Mental health: historically underestimated 

Historically, acknowledging a king’s mental health issues could be considered treason. The stigma and lack of understanding surrounding mental health meant that conditions like King George’s were often misunderstood and mistreated. It wasn’t until the invention of the MRI machine that we began to understand the chemical and hormonal imbalances in the brain.

Without modern scientific understanding, historical treatments of mental health conditions were often barbaric. We see examples of such treatments, like bleeding with leeches, which were based on fear and a lack of knowledge. These methods were unsustainable and inhumane, causing more harm than good.

The power of therapy

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story shines a light on the power of therapy and the importance of mental health treatment. Therapy helps individuals by affirming their identity, emotionally recentering them, and building a positive self-narrative. The show demonstrates how quickly a person can be calmed and recentered through supportive conversation and touch.

Thankfully, advancements in mental health science now allow us to see what’s going on in people’s minds and provide them with the necessary treatments to lead normal lives. The series underscores the importance of therapy, empathy, and scientific advancement in treating mental health conditions. As we await the new season of Bridgerton, let’s appreciate the show’s contribution to this crucial conversation.