Schizophrenia or MPD?
Catherine's condition is described throughout the film as 'schizophrenia' but is it not actually Multiple Personality Disorder?
shareBit of both, actually. Review the scene in the movie where Alex goes to visit Catherine at her uncle's home quite late in the evening. There, she has a venomous exchange with her uncle -- whom she really dislikes/resents -- and when he's retiring from the room she hisses a parting shot, "Isn't it!" Catherine -- with her back to Alex -- pauses briefly to gather her composure, then turns around to face him with the sweetest, most engaging smile possible. A rapid mood swing in a matter of seconds.
You can't hold a candle to Gulbenkian.
You can see in this scene that this is something she is consciously doing, not part of a mental illness. People have to do this all the time. Putting on a pleasant front is not mood swings, multiple personalities or schizophrenia. Catherine is under a huge amount of pressure, but this was a different time and a different culture.
You've got me?! Who's got you?!