Portrayal of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

¶ … Portrayal of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in the Popular Film as Good as it Gets

While many movies achieve their popularity because of an ability to take viewers away to far-off words where reality can be forgotten, other movies are excellent because they depict and deal with the characteristics of reality, both dismal and encouraging. Thus, many movies, both comedies and dramas, depict various mental disorders. Some express examples include a Beautiful Mind and Anger Management. By analyzing the popular film as Good as it Gets, a better understanding of the disorder, as well as its depiction in Hollywood, can be gained.

Background of the Disorder & Character Description

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which people face reoccurring, unwanted thoughts, or obsessions, and the urge to complete certain tasks (compulsions). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an Axis I Anxiety Disorder ("DSM-IV Classification" 2004). According to the National Institute of Mental Health 2008, an anxiety disorder makes most sufferers feel "extremely fearful and unsure."

About eighteen percent of Americans over the age of eighteen suffer from anxiety disorders, and anxiety disorders are different than facing simple anxiousness from daily activities as anxiety disorder sufferers have trouble doing most tasks because of their anxiety (National Institute of Mental Health 2008). For instance, it is normal for many college students to feel anxiety regarding tests, papers, and passing classes. People with anxiety disorders like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, however, would be so worried about these and other anxieties that they would have trouble completing school or career work. Further According to the National Institute of Mental Health 2008, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferers will "feel the need to check things over and over, or have certain thoughts or perform routines and rituals over and over."

People often joke, calling others Obsessive Compulsive because they're always checking to makes sure everyone has their seatbelt on, constantly checking their e-mail, or always nagging their roommate or partner about turning off the lights. These behaviors, by themselves, do not qualify as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and joking about such disorders can be quite offensive to the person who actually suffers from this type of anxiety disorder. This is because people who are constantly performing the rituals and checks of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder do so in order to control the "repeated, upsetting thoughts of OCD," which are called obsessions, according to the National Institute of Mental Health 2008. Furthermore, this institution defines the sufferer of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as those who experience the reoccurring obsessions and compulsions "for at least an hour on most days." If those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are not able to complete their rituals, they are often so distraught that they cannot complete other tasks during the day. This makes going to school, having a job, or carrying on normal relationships difficult.

Causes and symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can often be difficult to pinpoint, as they are varying. According to the National Institute of Mental Health 2008, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be hereditary or result from chemical imbalances in the brain.

Still, the institution states that no one can quite determine the exact causes of the disorder. Like its causes, Obsessive Disorder's symptoms are quite varied. If a person has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, he or she often has "repeated thoughts or images" in their minds, "do the same rituals over and over," "have unwanted thoughts or behaviors that they can't control," get "brief relief" rather than "pleasure" from their rituals, and deal with obsessions or compulsions for at an hour a day (National Institute of Mental Health 2008). Of course, these symptoms can be very difficult to pinpoint, as they are often signals of other conditions that are not Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. For instance, many people are worriers who do not necessarily have a disorder. Others may suffer from repeated thoughts or images once they have experienced a particularly traumatic event. Attempts to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are ongoing, but therapy and medications are two of the most common treatments (National Institute of Mental Health 2008).

In the movie, as Good as it Gets, character Melvin Udall, exhibits many signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His compulsions are exhibited by the fact that he must eat at a certain restaurant each day, must sit in a certain booth, and must be served by a certain waitress. Upon walking into his apartment, he locks and unlocks the door five times, switches on and off the light five times, and flips on and off the bathroom light five times. In his daily commute, he cannot walk on cracks, no matter whose way he disrupts in the process. In addition, he is what can be called obsessively organized. Although organization in itself, even to extremes, is not often considered a mental disorder, a glimpse at Melvin's apartment, along with his other exhibits of compulsions, suggest that he is, indeed, afflicted with the disorder. Melvin keeps his manuscripts stacked neatly and his soaps in exact precision in the bathroom cabinet. Melvin's bathroom habits can also be partially explained by his obsessions. Germs, a popular obsession of those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, are unpleasant, re-occurring thoughts of Melvin's. Melvin's germ obsession can be exemplified by his running the water scalding hot as he washes his hands, and the fact he uses multiple bars of soap just once before throwing them away. In addition, he brings his own plastic silverware to the restaurant where he eats, mentions that no one has been in his apartment before, and refuses to wear a coat and jacket that is provided to him by one of the restaurants where he dines. Furthermore, these obsessions and compulsions fit the criteria for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as they inhibit the ability for Melvin to live his life normally. This can most clearly be seen in the scenes where Melvin eats in Carol Connelly's restaurant. Melvin constantly offends other guests by his desire to sit in the same booth each day, in addition to the fact he constantly says the thoughts that are in his head, an expression of the fact that he is so troubled by them. Furthermore, Melvin finds himself unable to find friends or relationships because of his behavior. Whether it is in the places he frequents or in his apartment building, Melvin is despised because of his obsessions and constant repulsive remarks, which often verge on intolerance.

According to the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, a sufferer of the Anxiety Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder must experience either obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions are "recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate that cause marked anxiety or distress," and are "not simply excessive worries about real-life problems." In addition, the sufferer attempts to suppress the obsessions or "recognizes that the obsessive thoughts" are imagined ("DSM-IV: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" 2008). Melvin meets these criteria as he often has re-occurring thoughts about germs and cleanliness that cause him distress because he cannot perform certain actions. He attempts to repress these thoughts, especially in order to impress or placate Carol. His compulsions, which the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition define as "repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession," that are meant to prevent some kind of disaster from occurring. Melvin's compulsions also seem to meet this criteria, as they have to do with health or wellness, since they include using certain bars of soap, avoiding stepping on cracks, making sure the doors are locked, etc. Although the viewer does not learn of what Melvin fears will happen if these rituals were not performed, the viewer understands from his implications that something terrible will happen if he does not perform the rituals, as a failure to perform them upsets Melvin's day, making him unable to perform daily activities without upsetting himself or others.

Finally, the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, requires those who are suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorders to acknowledge the fact that the obsessions are "excessive and unreasonable," suffer interferences and anxiety because of the obsessions and compulsions, and is not affiliated with another physiological or psychological disorder or treatment ("DSM-IV: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" 2008). Melvin's behavior with Carol, and the therapist that he attempts to see, suggest that he understands the fact that his obsessions are not normal, and are in fact "excessive and unreasonable." Also, his obsessions do caused marked anxiety, as is shown by the extreme measures to which Melvin goes when he is not served by Carol at the restaurant, although this is also motivated by his feelings for Carol. Finally, Melvin is not shown taking any other medications or having any other physiological problems, so it is clear that his obsessions and compulsions are as a result of his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and not any other type of disorder. Thus, though Melvin is not a picture of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it is clear that James L. Brooks, the movie's producer, has intended to describe him as a sufferer of this disorder.

Reflection of the Positive, Negative, and Correct Portrayal Regarding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and the Mental Health Profession

In general as Good as it Gets, is an uplifting movie about how even those with mental disorders and those who are down on their luck, like Carol, can find happiness. Although he suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Melvin is characterized as remotely successful. He is a popular author of several novels, as is exemplified by the fact that, on the way out of his publisher's office, he is met by an adoring fan, even though he treats her with contempt. In addition, Melvin is not only a popular novelist, but the movie suggests that he is also quite well off financially. He is able to pay for a private doctor for Carol's son, live a remotely upscale lifestyle, and do other favors for friends, such as taking Simon on a road trip to see his parents. Although is rude, and at times very insensitive, he is also portrayed as being capable of extreme kindness. For instance, he sets Carol up with the private doctor, takes care of Simon's dog, and eventually allows Simon to stay in his home. This also suggests that Melvin was able to change his attitude. At the beginning of the novel, he was often rude to others, and wanted nothing more than to live in his own world, which was dictated by his obsessions and compulsions. In addition, he was intolerant of others, such as homosexuals, African-Americans, and Jews. At the end of the film, however, he has learned to open himself up to other ideas. Thus, the film makes a positive statement about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, suggesting that those affected by the disorder are able to complete many tasks that other without the disorder could complete, become successful, and even manage to change their views and enter into meaningful relationships.

Despite this positive portrayal of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, however, the movie also portrayed the disorder, several times in a negative, or at least incorrect, light. Probably the most famous scene that depicts this point is the scene where Melvin makes anti-Semitic remarks regarding two people who are sitting at the booth where he normally sits in Carol's restaurant. Although it is clear that Melvin is making these remarks because he wants to sit at this particular table, the remarks are scathing, and would most likely be offensive to many. Furthermore, Melvin compounds this image by making intolerant remarks regarding African-Americans, women, and homosexuals throughout the movie. This casts a negative light on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder because it suggests that the obsessions that these people deal with are intolerant in nature, while this is not true. Also, though he is capable of extreme kindness, Melvin has a rather sour personality. Sufferers of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be very kind, caring people, despite the fact that they are riddled by obsessions and compulsions. Should someone with no prior knowledge of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder view this film, the combination of these positive and negative viewpoints would be rather frustrating to understand. As the disorder is portrayed correctly, for the most part, viewers may be unsure of what facets of Melvin's personality are simply due to Melvin's attitude and personality, and which are the result of obsessive compulsive disorder. They may think that sufferers of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder must be rude, or must make intolerant comments. This may make these people worry about becoming friends with a person who is afflicted with this condition.

Other than simply presenting positive and negative views of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, viewers of this movie may find themselves forming opinions of the mental health profession based on the film. Surprisingly for a film about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the interaction between Melvin and a professional in the field of psychology is only seen once. Melvin walks into the office of a psychiatrist that he's obviously seen before. The viewer can assume that he is trying to seek treatment in order to make himself more appealing to Carol, who still sees him as rather disturbing at this point. The psychology professional becomes frustrated with Melvin, yelling at him and telling him to make an appointment. While Melvin and this professional may have had many interactions in the past that resulted in the professional's current behavior, this scene may cause readers to assume that psychology professionals are mean spirited and unwilling to accommodate their patients. In addition, it may even make some viewers hesitant to consult a psychologist should they need to do so. This is a frightening concept, and should have been considered by James L. Brooks and the film's writers before production.