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. A successful author, previously diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by his psychiatrist, Dr. Green, Melvin decidedly stopped therapeutic treatment, and taking his prescription medication, two years ago. Melvin’s maintenance strategy for the past couple of years after making this decision, to help manage his OCD, comprised of a combination of living in seclusion within his apartment with minimal social connections, alongside routinely visiting a local restaurant, with an insistence of sitting at the same seat, to be served by the same …show more content…
Contributing to this sudden decision to reinstate therapy and medication intake would be unexpected connections Melvin has formed in his life. The primary acquaintance, and motivator for this contemplative change within Melvin, would be his evolving relationship with Carol. A pivotal incident for Melvin occurred when upon arrival to the restaurant not long ago, he discovered Carol was not working, essentially breaking his obsessive routine, which caused an immense increase of anxiety for him. Further, Melvin discovered the unlikelihood of Carol ever returning to work, due to her ailing son. Enormously unsettled by this news and how it would directly affect him, Melvin took action by hiring a private doctor to provide dedicated care for Carol’s son, so she could continue working, thus not interrupting his routine. Moreover, Melvin has come to realize he has developed a romantic interest in Carol. Alongside what is progressing with Carol, Melvin has formed a connection with his neighbour, …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 presents with multiple symptoms of OCD, accordingly. For example, Melvin expresses an obsessive need for cleanliness, managed through behaviours that include wearing gloves in public, compulsive hand washing with scalding hot water and multiple bars of soap, and utilizing personal 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. Moreover, Melvin presents with behaviours enacted to avoid a hyper-vigilant sense of impending doom, such as the superstitious action of avoiding stepping on lines on sidewalks and floors. Following ritualistic routine to minimize internal anxiety is presented through Melvin’s action of eating at the same restaurant, while sitting at the same booth, served by the same waitress. Upon the threat of the ritual being completed, anxiety increases with Melvin, and irrational thought processes result in unmanageable urges that must be
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. A successful author, previously diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by his psychiatrist, Dr. Green, Melvin decidedly stopped therapeutic treatment, and taking his prescription medication, two years ago. Melvin’s maintenance strategy for the past couple of years after making this decision, to help manage his OCD, comprised of a combination of living in seclusion within his apartment with minimal social connections, alongside routinely visiting a local restaurant, with an insistence of sitting at the same seat, to be served by the same …show more content…
Contributing to this sudden decision to reinstate therapy and medication intake would be unexpected connections Melvin has formed in his life. The primary acquaintance, and motivator for this contemplative change within Melvin, would be his evolving relationship with Carol. A pivotal incident for Melvin occurred when upon arrival to the restaurant not long ago, he discovered Carol was not working, essentially breaking his obsessive routine, which caused an immense increase of anxiety for him. Further, Melvin discovered the unlikelihood of Carol ever returning to work, due to her ailing son. Enormously unsettled by this news and how it would directly affect him, Melvin took action by hiring a private doctor to provide dedicated care for Carol’s son, so she could continue working, thus not interrupting his routine. Moreover, Melvin has come to realize he has developed a romantic interest in Carol. Alongside what is progressing with Carol, Melvin has formed a connection with his neighbour, …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 presents with multiple symptoms of OCD, accordingly. For example, Melvin expresses an obsessive need for cleanliness, managed through behaviours that include wearing gloves in public, compulsive hand washing with scalding hot water and multiple bars of soap, and utilizing personal 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. Moreover, Melvin presents with behaviours enacted to avoid a hyper-vigilant sense of impending doom, such as the superstitious action of avoiding stepping on lines on sidewalks and floors. Following ritualistic routine to minimize internal anxiety is presented through Melvin’s action of eating at the same restaurant, while sitting at the same booth, served by the same waitress. Upon the threat of the ritual being completed, anxiety increases with Melvin, and irrational thought processes result in unmanageable urges that must be