A Dangerous Son

A Dangerous Son is a 2018 documentary that focuses on the lives of three families who are struggling to cope with a child who has a serious behavioral disorder. The film's primary focus is on the children themselves and the difficulties they face in managing their emotions and behavior.

The film features interviews with parents, therapists, and doctors who are working to understand and treat these children. Additionally, the documentary features footage of the children at home, at school, and in therapy sessions.

One of the families featured in the film is that of Tony Beliz, whose son Javon was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) at a young age. Beliz describes the challenges he faced in finding the right treatment for his son, who was often expelled from school for his disruptive behavior. The film documents Javon's struggle to control his impulses and deal with his anger, as well as his father's struggle to find the right support for his son.

The film also follows the story of Creigh Deeds, a Virginia state senator whose son Austin suffered from severe depression and anxiety. Deeds struggled to get his son the help he needed, and the film documents the heartbreaking aftermath of Austin's suicide. Throughout the documentary, Deeds speaks candidly about his own struggles with mental illness and his efforts to raise awareness of the issue.

Another family featured in the film is that of Thomas Insel, the former director of the National Institute of Mental Health. Insel's son Nathaniel was diagnosed with autism at a young age, and the film explores the challenges Insel and his family faced in raising Nathaniel. Insel discusses the difficulty of finding the right support for his son, and the frustrations he faced in dealing with a mental health system that he believes is not adequately equipped to handle the needs of children like Nathaniel.

Overall, A Dangerous Son is a moving and illuminating documentary that sheds light on an issue that is often stigmatized and misunderstood. By focusing on the struggles faced by children with behavioral disorders and the families who love them, the film offers a powerful call to action for better understanding and support for those with mental health challenges.