Term Paper Proposal: Clinical Case Assessment Research Paper
Introduction
The character, Melvin Udall, from the film As Good As It Gets (1997), played by Jack Nicholson, will serve as the client for this case study. Previously, Melvin, a successful author, received a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder by his psychiatrist, Dr. Green. Recent changes in his life provoked a desire within Melvin to take his medication, and reestablish therapeutic sessions, after abandoning them two years ago. Factoring into this decision would be Carol, a waitress, who serves Melvin in his ritualistic visit to a restaurant. Upon learning of her plan to quit work, Melvin took drastic measures to assist her, ensuring she could continue her job, thereby …show more content…
Doing so reduces anxiety for an individual with OCD, meeting a need to minimize the probability of a horrific occurrence (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Fineberg et al., 2014). Melvin displays multiple symptoms of OCD, such as an obsessive need for cleanliness, managed through compulsive hand washing, and utilizing his own utensils in a public restaurant. Likewise, Melvin displays an obsessive urge for checking, fostered through a compulsive numbering pattern for locking doors, and turning off his lights. Melvin is aware of his OCD, and how it interferes with is life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) supported by his recognition of trying to not lock his door five times, knowing it was not necessary, yet his obsession compelled him to perform his pattern. In applying the DSM-IV Axis, it would appear that on Axis I, Melvin clearly fits the diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Within Axis II and III, there are no diagnosis’. For Axis IV, recent stressors for Melvin could include his romantic interest in Carol, and allowing Verdel into his apartment, bonding with him, only to essentially lose the companionship when he returned to Simon. Melvin’s present GAF rating, …show more content…
Life altering factors, common for individuals with an OCD diagnosis, can include social avoidance, lack of decision-making skills, and time-consuming rituals, such as checking (Lochner et al., 2014). This reality may present a continuous challenge for Melvin in his daily living, and relationships. Even with medication, and therapeutic treatment, which can have positive impact to assist in Melvin in managing his OCD, relapse to consuming, compulsive behaviour, is a high probability (Grant et al.,
Introduction
The character, Melvin Udall, from the film As Good As It Gets (1997), played by Jack Nicholson, will serve as the client for this case study. Previously, Melvin, a successful author, received a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder by his psychiatrist, Dr. Green. Recent changes in his life provoked a desire within Melvin to take his medication, and reestablish therapeutic sessions, after abandoning them two years ago. Factoring into this decision would be Carol, a waitress, who serves Melvin in his ritualistic visit to a restaurant. Upon learning of her plan to quit work, Melvin took drastic measures to assist her, ensuring she could continue her job, thereby …show more content…
Doing so reduces anxiety for an individual with OCD, meeting a need to minimize the probability of a horrific occurrence (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Fineberg et al., 2014). Melvin displays multiple symptoms of OCD, such as an obsessive need for cleanliness, managed through compulsive hand washing, and utilizing his own utensils in a public restaurant. Likewise, Melvin displays an obsessive urge for checking, fostered through a compulsive numbering pattern for locking doors, and turning off his lights. Melvin is aware of his OCD, and how it interferes with is life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) supported by his recognition of trying to not lock his door five times, knowing it was not necessary, yet his obsession compelled him to perform his pattern. In applying the DSM-IV Axis, it would appear that on Axis I, Melvin clearly fits the diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Within Axis II and III, there are no diagnosis’. For Axis IV, recent stressors for Melvin could include his romantic interest in Carol, and allowing Verdel into his apartment, bonding with him, only to essentially lose the companionship when he returned to Simon. Melvin’s present GAF rating, …show more content…
Life altering factors, common for individuals with an OCD diagnosis, can include social avoidance, lack of decision-making skills, and time-consuming rituals, such as checking (Lochner et al., 2014). This reality may present a continuous challenge for Melvin in his daily living, and relationships. Even with medication, and therapeutic treatment, which can have positive impact to assist in Melvin in managing his OCD, relapse to consuming, compulsive behaviour, is a high probability (Grant et al.,