Case Summary

Marvin is a 32-year-old married white man. He was brought up in a decent family and later in life, used his family’s privileges to climb up the ladder of life. Just like any other normal human being, he made both good and bad decisions. Despite his normal family life, since he was 18 years old, Marvin has been attending Psychotherapy sessions. Marvin is shameful of this fact because his underlying psychological reasons forced him to become a house husband. The psychopathology impedes his capabilities hence has never held onto a job. Sometimes he develops extreme anxiety, especially whenever he steps on a carelessly disposed of chewing gum or even when his hands come into contact with sticky materials. Additionally, this has further impeded his social life. Throughout the day, his curtains are drawn hence preventing any light from coming into his room.

Clinical Impressions

Marvin’s condition is categorized under anxiety. Only certain things make Marvin anxious or even distressed to the point he cannot function properly. His attempts to stop or reduce his anxiety levels led to obsessive-compulsive disorders such as panic and schizophreniform. For example, viewing a child's toy from his kitchen widow made him feel dirty (Rowa, & Antony, 2008). This kind of hypertensive reaction points to serious anxiety levels. He is remorseful of the impact his condition has had on his children because they cannot bring in their friends into the house. Moreover, the fear of uncertainty clouds his mind as he thinks that his wife will leave him even though there is no indication of it ever happening.

Recommendations

 Anxiety can be experienced from time to time but in this particular case, Marvin experiences high levels of anxiety (Ruscio et al., 2010). From his case study, one of the best recommendations is exercising. Exercise relieves one of stress and diverts one's attention hence or she ends up putting more energy on accomplishing the specified exercise rather than concentrating hence decreasing the anxiety levels. The second option is through hypnosis. Hypnosis keeps the patient in a constant state of relaxation and regulates thoughts and even actions.

Questions

 The Impact of Hypochondriasis and Anxiety

 The hypochondriasis only amplifies the fear resulting from anxiety. This is seen through Marvin's worry for his wife and children (Milad, & Rauch, 2012). He is afraid that his wife will leave him and he seems to be worried about the plight of his children. His children cannot bring their friends over to the house because of his condition.

Understanding and Distinguishing Between Hypochondriasis and Anxiety

 The two conditions can be distinguished from the situational point of view. For instance, anxiety can be induced by stepping on chewing gums or touching anything sticky. But one can understand hypochondriasis through the patient regretful thoughts (Milad, & Rauch, 2012). For instance how he affects his children and wife. Thus both conditions can be understood from the patient’s perspective or testimonial rather than direct diagnosis.

Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive behavior

 The diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive behavior should remain (Rowa, & Antony, 2008).  According to the diagnosis and behavior of the patient is consistent with obsessive-compulsive behavior. The inconsistent thoughts, feelings, and symptoms and actions point to a strong obsessive-compulsive behavior. For example, Marvin is sometimes is easily agitated and compulsive.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

 Is centered on age while if a person shows a constant circle of obsessiveness and compulsions (Milad, & Rauch, 2012). In Marvin’s situation, he has anxiety convulsions which tend to break his obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder can only be identified through observable routines (Milad, & Rauch, 2012). For instance his ability to keep a job or the degree to which the symptoms impede his productive opposed to directly checking for the actual symptoms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Milad, M. R., & Rauch, S. L. (2012). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: beyond segregated cortico-striatal pathways. Trends in cognitive sciences, 16(1), 43-51.

Rowa, K., & Antony, M. M. (2008). Generalized anxiety disorder.

Ruscio, A. M., Stein, D. J., Chiu, W. T., & Kessler, R. C. (2010). The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Molecular psychiatry, 15(1), 53-63.