Question
After viewing the movie “As Good as It Gets,” write a 2-3 page, double space paper analyzing the three main characters. Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) suffers from a debilitating mental disorder which has greatly impacted the quality of his life. Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt), a waitress, and Simon Bishop (Greg Kinnear), his neighbor, each have significant stressors in their lives that draw Melvin into their lives. Together they help each other cope and improve the quality of their lives.
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Solution
The Movie “As Good as It Gets”
The popular culture is awash artifacts, such as films and movies, documentaries, and novels that depict various types of mental disorders and attempts by affected individuals to overcome the impact on their quality of life. The Movie, “As Good as It Gets”, is an example of such works that contain the reality of mental health, and stressors in life. The movie follows the lives of three characters, Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson), Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt), and Simon Bishop (Greg Kinnear). While Melvin is the one diagnosed with OCD, the other two characters experience different life stressors. However, together, the characters support each other to overcome the challenges and improve the quality of their lives.
A Description of Melvin’s Symptoms and Diagnosis
Melvin is diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is one of the types of anxiety disorders. The disease is characterized by arousal, over apprehension, and over anticipation of problems, which affects the quality of life. Melvin has various obsessions, such as fear of contamination, which he manifests through compulsion of cleaning himself. He washes his hands using steaming hot water and a new soap to avoid contamination. He also stays in the shower for a much longer time than a healthy person and wears gloves when going outside the apartment. While walking, he avoids stepping on sidewalk cracks, eats his daily breaks in the same restaurant and sits at the same table (Brooks, 1997). Melvin’s behavior is typical of a person suffering from OCD.
Therapeutic Interventions
Although OCD has no cure, therapeutic interventions are available to deal with the symptoms and help the affected person to have a better quality of life. Exposure is the leading intervention for individuals suffering from OCD. However, unlike other disorders, exposure for OCD is usually intense. The intervention focuses on helping the patient to overcome the obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, Melvin could have challenges seeking and following through with therapy since he says that, his doctor prescribed drugs to deal with the condition. Medication is not a typical intervention to treat OCD. Besides, his doctor advised him to break his routine (Brooks, 1997). From the story, it appears as though his psychologist did not provide the correct treatment regime for the OCD.
Stressors that have Impacted Carol’s Life
Carol, the waitress in the only hotel that Melvin eats, experiences life stressors and self-defeating behaviors that intensify her stress. The leading cause of stress in her life is the health of her son, Spence, who is acutely asthmatic. Carol decides to quit her job at the hotel and return home to Brooklyn to take care of her son (Brooks, 1997). Carol is easily irritable and is prepared to let go of her relationship with Melvin due to the comment he utters while they are having dinner. Her irrational behavior could quickly increase her stress in life.
Stressors that have Impacted Simon’s Life
Simon is Melvin’s homosexual neighbor, who gets robbed, mugged and experiences considerable emotional stress. Simon is attacked during the incident and almost killed. He is hospitalized and leaves his dog behind, leading Melvin to reluctantly caring for it. Simon experiences more significant stress since his dog becomes attached to Melvin. The reality, together with his assault and rehabilitation, makes him lose his creativity. He also has to cater to high medical bills, which makes him almost bankrupt (Brooks, 1997). In the process, the audience learns that he has estranged parents, whom he is forced to return to and seek financial support to avoid bankruptcy.
Helpful Interactions
The interactions between Melvin, Simon, and Carol are helpful since each of the characters benefits from each other’s support. Melvin gets considerable support to overcome the OCD symptoms from Carol, the only waitress he trusts to serve him at the hotel. Whenever he got connected with her, his OCD symptoms would diminish considerably. For example, toward the end of the movie, Melvin becomes preoccupied with the thoughts of Carol, and he forgets to lock his door. Another relationship that helps Melvin to overcome his mental disorder is his relationship with Simon’s dog, whom he takes care of when Simon is hospitalized. Carol benefits from his relationship with Melvin, who arranges through his publisher to pay the medical expenses for her son to prevent her return back home. Simon regains his creative muse by interacting with Carol, who he begins to paint semi-nude. Melvin connects with Simon and even hosts him when he sells his apartment (Brooks, 1997). The interactions helped overcome mental health challenges, including OCD and depression.
Conclusion
The characters in the movie suffered from mental health challenges, but their interactions helped them to overcome. I can imagine that the three actors had a happier life living together and supporting each other to overcome inevitable stresses in life. I could use similar strategies in my life when dealing with stress or other psychopathologies. For example, when dealing with grief or the reality of a life-threatening disease, social support, and the help of friends would be helpful.
Reference
Brooks, J.L. (1997). “As Good as It Gets,” A Film.
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