Movie Review: As Good As It Gets
Destinee Starcher
Psychology 281, Section 5
The movie as good as it gets tells the story of Melvin Udall, an elderly man suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Brooks, 1997). Mr. Udall meets the criteria for both an abnormal behavior and OCD. In lecture we discussed what constitutes abnormal behavior according to abnormal psychology. A behavior must both deviate from societal norms, and cause functional impairment to the individual (Beidel, Bulik, & Stanley, 2014). In order for the behavior to cause significant distress and impairment, it must inhibit their ability to function in daily life. According Beidel and other authors (2014) the criteria for OCD includes repetitive obsessions and compulsions, both of which are displayed by Mr. Udall. For example, in the beginning of the film, we observe several of Mr. Udall’s compulsions (Brooks, 1997). He must do everything in sets of five. When he enters his home and locks the front door, it must be done five times. When he turns the lights on in his bedroom, it must also be done five times (Brooks, 1997). After these rituals are completed, he feels a sense of relief. However when he is unable to complete these compulsions, he experiences severe anxiety.
He …show more content…
While an individual with OCD may engage in this behavior, the manner in which it is depicted in the film is inaccurate. Specifically the compulsion is so severe that he avoids walking on sidewalks made of bricks (Brooks, 1997). This depiction is inaccurate because while Mr. Udall’s infliction is impairing, he is still able to function independently. He holds down a job, maintains personal hygiene, lives alone and has contact with other people. In reality if Mr. Udall’s disorder was this severe, he would not be functioning at this level. Also another feature missing from the film, was the
Destinee Starcher
Psychology 281, Section 5
The movie as good as it gets tells the story of Melvin Udall, an elderly man suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Brooks, 1997). Mr. Udall meets the criteria for both an abnormal behavior and OCD. In lecture we discussed what constitutes abnormal behavior according to abnormal psychology. A behavior must both deviate from societal norms, and cause functional impairment to the individual (Beidel, Bulik, & Stanley, 2014). In order for the behavior to cause significant distress and impairment, it must inhibit their ability to function in daily life. According Beidel and other authors (2014) the criteria for OCD includes repetitive obsessions and compulsions, both of which are displayed by Mr. Udall. For example, in the beginning of the film, we observe several of Mr. Udall’s compulsions (Brooks, 1997). He must do everything in sets of five. When he enters his home and locks the front door, it must be done five times. When he turns the lights on in his bedroom, it must also be done five times (Brooks, 1997). After these rituals are completed, he feels a sense of relief. However when he is unable to complete these compulsions, he experiences severe anxiety.
He …show more content…
While an individual with OCD may engage in this behavior, the manner in which it is depicted in the film is inaccurate. Specifically the compulsion is so severe that he avoids walking on sidewalks made of bricks (Brooks, 1997). This depiction is inaccurate because while Mr. Udall’s infliction is impairing, he is still able to function independently. He holds down a job, maintains personal hygiene, lives alone and has contact with other people. In reality if Mr. Udall’s disorder was this severe, he would not be functioning at this level. Also another feature missing from the film, was the