A Head Full of Ghosts

Content Warning: This Themes section contains references to mental health conditions and death by suicide.

Meredith “Merry” Barrett / “Karen Brissette” describes extreme tension in the Barrett household, as it existed even before the involvement of Father Wanderly, the church, and the Discovery Channel. This, combined with the family’s stressful financial situation, is characteristic of significant familial discord and dysfunction.

Marjorie’s illness becomes everyone’s focus; because her experience and pain is acute and her behavior distressing, the family fixates on her as the “problem” to be solved. They do not consider that if they were more secure, compassionate, and collaborative their support might help her and protect against her escalating symptoms. The family seeks professional help for her, but Mom is the only one who actively participates and cooperates with Marjorie’s doctor. Dad is immature and makes excuses for his behavior, including his lack of motivation to secure new employment. He does not use his abundant free time to take on additional responsibilities while his wife is working.

Dad is unable to appreciate the diligence and effort required to treat his daughter’s mental illness, and the fluctuation in progress which occurs. Dad seeks someone to solve the problem for him, deferring to Father Wanderly instead of collaborating with his wife and taking responsibility for his family.