Analysis of Conrad in Ordinary People - Essay Sample

Introduction

In the movie, "Ordinary People" Conrad Jarett exhibits psychopathology, which is a term that is used in studying mental disorders, as well as the accompanying biological, genetic, social, and psychological cause, classification, developmental stages, manifestations, as well as treatment. Conrad Jarett had been hospitalized for trying to kill himself, and the accompanying depression. To treat his condition, he saw Dr. Berger, a psychotherapist. In addition, his parents had separated where Beth, Conrad's mother had gone, away and he and Calvin, his father were receiving a community-based family therapy and education in the difficult time. The attempted suicide was caused by his survival from an accident where his older Brother, Buck, had drowned as el as the family hardships owing to the separation.

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Conrad exhibited various symptoms that indicate the presence of a specific form of psychopathology. These include his tendency to commit suicide, having insomnia, decreased concentration, suicidal thoughts, social withdrawal, a depressed mood with anxiety and irritable characteristics, and a diminished appetite. These symptoms implied that he had depression. In addition, due to the boating accident in which his brother lost his life contributed to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is because he experienced and re-experienced nightmares, flashbacks, as well as intrusive recollections. He also has avoidance symptoms in which he had diminished interest in activities. Other symptoms that show PTSD symptoms is the hyperarousal symptoms of anger outbursts, irritability, and insomnia. Lastly, he also has difficulty in concentrating and an increased startle. This is further complicated by the brother's death as he has survivor guilt and anger, which culminated in him contemplating suicide. Besides, Conrad is also having significant weight loss as he does not eat and also has retardation, fatigue, and loss of energy. In essence, clinical depression can cause a person to either eat or sleep in excess or in some instances, eliminate these activities (Sarwer and Polonsky, 2016). He is contemplating on committing suicide also reveals that he has feelings of being worthless. As such, the behavior will most likely lead dysfunction because Conrad cannot perform well in social contexts, he is withdrawn, and the anger can prevent him from making good decisions. Insomnia and irritability can also interfere with Conrad's life. Besides, these symptoms will work together to interfere with Conrad's occupational and social life since he will be withdrawn to a large extent.

As such, Conrad has a disorder of stress and trauma, which was caused by his experience about the accident in which his brother passed away. In consequence, this led to depression. As such, Conrad's symptoms can specifically be pinned down to depression. There are no specific causes of depression, but it is more likely that depression results from a combination of a variety of a variety of psychological factors. For instance, traumatic events, such as accidents or injuries can cause depression, as in the case of Conrad. Ideally, it is important to note that people who continue to exhibit and experience symptoms of stress after a traumatic event, such as an accident, may have a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition leads to depression, especially when a loved one died in an accident, or hurting the patient significantly. In essence, there is a high correlation between individual suffering from PTSD and depression. An experience panic attacks that are mostly correlated to PTSD, while most of the symptoms are highly correlated with depression.

From the DSM-5 criteria, doctors can also indicate that a patient indeed suffers from depression. Conrad meets the first criteria as he exhibits a depressed mood and is irritable most of the times, as well as a feeling of emptiness, and hopelessness. Conrad also shows signs of diminished interest and pleasure in most of the day-to-day activities. He exhibits fatigue, inability to sleep well, as well as suicidal thoughts, which as Schreiner (2014) writes, are conditions for criteria one. Conrad also meets the second criterion of DSM-5, as the symptoms, he has encompassed social and occupational distress, as well as social withdrawal. Since Conrad has significant distress and impairment in social and occupational areas of functioning, he meets second criteria. However, even though he never took any medication that could adversely affect him, Conrad's symptoms were directly correlated to a significant loss of bereavement as his brother had died, as well as loss of his mother as he had separated with his dad. For this reason, this implies that Conrad met the third DSM-5 criteria. Additionally, Conrad had no delusions meaning that he could not have schizophrenia, thereby not meeting the fourth DSM-5 criterion. Also, to meet Criteria 5 of the DSM-V diagnosis, patients have a major manic event. Since Conrad never had a manic episode, he does not meet criterion 5, and thus, his condition can be ruled as not schizophrenic, rather, depression.

Additionally, Conrad can also be diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder, whose main impairments are self and interpersonal as he seems to have self-esteem and diminished interest. Based on the DSM-5 criteria, it is clear that he meets the first criterion in that Conrad has significant impairments in personality functioning, which is manifested in low self-esteem, and excess feelings of shame and inadequacy. Conrad felt estranged from other people, avoids social interactions, and does not have a healthy social relationships with others. He meets the second DSM-V criterion as he shows detachment from other people. This is characterized by withdrawal from social situations and avoidance of social contact and activity. Additionally, Conrad does not initiate social contact and avoids instances of intimacy. He is not involved in any romantic relationship and has anhedonia, in which he lacks enjoyment and engaging in positive life's experiences. He meets the third DSM-V criterion in that his personality functioning is consistent. Besides, Conrad's personality meets the fourth criterion of DSM-V as it is not considered normative for his developmental stage or the socio-cultural environment. In his social characterization he should be seeking new friends, but instead seeks to avoid making new friends, which implies that his behavior cannot be considered normal as that of his peers. Lastly, Conrad meets the fifth criterion of DSM-V of avoidant personality disorder mainly because the impairments in personality functioning he has are not caused by substance abuse or a general medical condition. These characteristics describe the criteria for having avoidance personality disorder, which can be pinned down to Conrad.

Conrad is not suffering from schizophrenia. DSM-5 provides a criterion for identifying schizophrenia. In the guide, the first part requires that the patient experience two or more of the following disorders: disorganized speech, hallucinations, catatonic behavior, delusions or and reduced emotional expression (Spaulding and Sullivan, 2016). Conrad never had most of these symptoms. The second part of the DSM-5 criteria requires that the since the onset of the mental illness disturbance, the patient's level of functioning in one or more areas of, including work, self-care, interpersonal relationships is below the level the patient achieved before the onset of the schizophrenic tendencies. Also, as Spaulding and Sullivan (2016) posit, it requires that at the instance of onset, there is a failure to achieve the expected or normal level of academic, interpersonal, and occupational functioning. The third part of the DSM-5 criterion for diagnosing schizophrenia requires that the patient displays continuous signs of the disturbance, which often persist for at least six months. The fourth part of the DSM-5 criterion requires that depressive or bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder have been ruled out because no major manic episodes have occurred, and these lacked in Conrad.

In clinical psychology, there are various types of therapies that can be used in managing depression. These are mainly referred to as psychotherapy interventions or "talk therapy." Examples include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy, group therapy, music therapy, and brain stimulation therapy.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) effectively treats depression. According to Hofmann et al. (2012), the methodology encompasses the assumption that the individual's mood is directly correlated to the thought pattern. The methodology encompasses the assumption that the individual's mood is directly correlated to the through the pattern. As such, negative dysfunctional thinking affects the individual's sense of self, mood, and behavior. The goal of CBT is helping the person with depression to identify the negative thought pattern, and replacing with healthier thinking. The cognitive restructuring process entails the therapist and the patient working together to change thinking patterns (Cuijpers et al., 2013). As such, it is a goal-oriented and educational approach (Beck, Davis, and Freeman (2007).

As such, negative, dysfunctional thinking affects the person's sense of self, mood, and behavior. Psychotherapists can manage Conrad's demoralization by allowing Conrad to set a fresh set of goals. The feeling of worthlessness can be managed by participating in earlier hobbies, such as playing tennis. The psychotherapist can help Conrad replace disheartened feelings with encouraged thinking and sad thoughts with happy ones. Being alone should be mitigated by encouraging Conrad to enjoy the company of family and friends. Crying can be mitigated by being happy, such as watching a cartoon or participating in jokes. Suicidal feelings should be mitigated by giving a sense of hope that she will feel better. The state of being miserable will be mitigated by raising self-esteem. Demoralization can be managed by allowing her to set a fresh set of goals. Feeling of worthlessness can be managed by participating in earlier hobbies, such as playing tennis. These moves will help in mitigating the depression. Also, instead of staying in her room, she should interact with other patients. These moves will help in mitigating the depression. Also, instead of staying in her room, she should interact with other patients.

Conclusion

The film respectfully presented about the plight of those suffering from depression, as well as people with mental illnesses in general. It shows that instead of committing suicide, those with depression can instead seek psychotherapy help, which will help in managing the condition. It highlights that people with mental disorders should not suffer in isolation as this will be detrimental to their health and social well-being. Appreciating them and showing them that they are loved goes a long way in helping them in dealing with the condition. The material was accurate in that people with depression can contemplate on suicide, but with the right intervention, this can be prevented. There was, however, an inaccurate stereotype in that people with depression commit suicide, but it is not always the case, especially when they are loved and helped in their condition. Dr. Berger tried applied CBT, which is realistic as it helped Conrad deal with the trauma of the accident and depression.

References

Beck, A., Davis, D., & Freeman, A. (2007). Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders, 2nd Ed. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Cuijpers, P., Berking, M., Andersson, G., Quigley, L., Kleiboer, A., & Dobson, K. S. (2013). A meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult depression, alone and in comparison with other trea...