As Good as It Gets Abnormal Psychology Paper
1. Describe the behavior of Melvin. Melvin exhibits repetitive rituals such as locking his front door and opening the light switch multiple times. He is uncomfortable when others are touching him, and is troubled by the thought of germs and infections which is why he brings his own utensils in the restaurant and does not wear the suit provided by the restaurant. Also, he doesn’t want a change in his patterns which was evident when he wasn’t able to eat breakfast when Carol, the waitress who usually serves him during breakfast, wasn’t on duty in the restaurant one day. Besides his recurrent behaviors and actions, he is very sarcastic and pessimistic too, and seems to hate everyone around him such that he does not interact with others very well.
2. Based on the DSM IV TR, what is your diagnosis? Support with behavioral observations. Based on the symptoms Melvin evidently exhibits, looking through the DSM IV TR, he may be diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Referring to the DSM IV TR, OCD is characterized by obsessions or compulsions, and in the case of Melvin, he displays compulsions. Observing his behaviors, his impulses are displayed by his repetitive checking to make sure that the lights are turned on and if his front door is locked, not stepping on floor lines/cracks, washing of hands with hot water and disposing of soap once used, and not holding of door handles. Compulsions are defined as repetitive, excessive behaviors done to reduce anxiety and for Melvin he does his daily rituals to rid himself of the feeling of uneasiness caused by his obsessive thoughts.
3. What is the etiology of his disorder? Neurobiologically, OCD would be explained by the hyperactivity of 3 key regions of the brain- the orbitofrontal cortex, the caudate nucleus, and the anterior congulate. Behaviourally, operant conditioning of compulsions are reinforced to reduce anxiety. In terms of cognitive factors, people with the disorder have a Yedasentience deficit, which
2. Based on the DSM IV TR, what is your diagnosis? Support with behavioral observations. Based on the symptoms Melvin evidently exhibits, looking through the DSM IV TR, he may be diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Referring to the DSM IV TR, OCD is characterized by obsessions or compulsions, and in the case of Melvin, he displays compulsions. Observing his behaviors, his impulses are displayed by his repetitive checking to make sure that the lights are turned on and if his front door is locked, not stepping on floor lines/cracks, washing of hands with hot water and disposing of soap once used, and not holding of door handles. Compulsions are defined as repetitive, excessive behaviors done to reduce anxiety and for Melvin he does his daily rituals to rid himself of the feeling of uneasiness caused by his obsessive thoughts.
3. What is the etiology of his disorder? Neurobiologically, OCD would be explained by the hyperactivity of 3 key regions of the brain- the orbitofrontal cortex, the caudate nucleus, and the anterior congulate. Behaviourally, operant conditioning of compulsions are reinforced to reduce anxiety. In terms of cognitive factors, people with the disorder have a Yedasentience deficit, which