Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essay

Case Study in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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Case Study in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Introduction
Ridley Scott’s Matchstick Men (2003), is a film about high profile tricksters. The main protagonist, Roy (played by Nicolas Cage), is a con artist who also suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tourette’s syndrome. Other than the highly twisted story of conmen, Matchstick Men presents a personal experience and struggle of Roy as a victim of a serious mental illness. This research paper uses Matchstick Men’s character, Roy Waller, as a basis in investigating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Since he divorced his wife 15 years ago, Roy has been avoiding all forms of romantic and even social relationships. The only contact in his social world is Frank, his partner in con escapades. Roy, though in his middle ages, does not care much about what is happening in the society. He prefers a lonely life and playing by his own rules. Roy is aware of his mental illness and has been depending on prescribed medication and smoking. He has been experiencing various obsessive-compulsive symptoms which have highly compromised his life. Such symptoms include a desire for order, hygiene, and cleanliness, and a habit of opening and closing doors thrice before walking past them. Roy normally counts loudly as he opens and closes the door. Facial tics and audible grunts are common with Roy, but their frequency and intensity increase when he is stressed, anxious, or in a state of panic.
Over the years, Roy has been struggling to cope with his mental illness on his own. But the appearance of his “teenage daughter” was a new dawn in his life. Besides his past troubled marriage and a long period of time without any romantic relationship, Roy managed to find love and marriage with a cashier, with whom they are expecting their first child. He has been on medication and his obsessive-compulsive symptoms have remarkably decreased. He has been trying to focus on the positives in his life, family, and work. However, he at times finds it difficult to control his need for orderliness, both at home and work. Roy finds peace in a clean and well-organized environment, failure to which he becomes uneasy and unable to act normal. In most cases, he finds himself conducting duties that are not meant for him while seeking cleanliness and order he desires. He does not want to ruin his current marriage or jeopardize his employment as a result of his mental illness. He, therefore, has come to therapy to seek help on how he can cope with his obsessive-compulsive symptoms and relate appropriately with his family and the society in general.
Diagnosis
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), OCD is characterized by consuming thoughts and beliefs that eventually lead to uncontrollable and repetitive behaviors known as compulsions (Ameringen, Patterson, & Simpson, 2014). Under OCD, the brain commits itself to rituals so as to reduce or completely prevent further straining. According to Nolen-Hoeksema and Rector (2015) victims of OCD experience several obsessive behaviors, which include fear of exposure to contamination, somatic obse...