Michelle+Charlie+Fineman

=Charlie Fineman Diagnosis Essay=

As much as perfection is an impossibility, the human society is an imperfect place that contains countless flaws. As individuals who conform this flawed habitat, human beings are constantly placed in a defenseless state to a variety of defects that often times defines us as being different, or even abnormal from the rest of the society. Nonetheless, in spite of numerous kinds of defects we are exposed to, which include both physical and mental disorders, one of the most provoking disorders that create a large gap between individuals is known as the behavior disorder. Having been detected numerous times in our society, the film Reign Over Me presents an even deeper exploration of an individual who suffers from a behavior disorder due to his past encounter with an immensely tragic incident.

In addition to having witnessed an immensely tragic event with his bare eyes, Charlie also had to suffer from even a greater anguish: the unexpected loss of his family. Due to the sudden agony, Charlie began to show symptoms of a behavior disorder, eventually becoming classified as a “behaviorally disordered individual.” Before searching for a deeper analysis of Charlie’s symptoms, the technical definition of a behavior disorder is “any of various forms of behavior that are considered inappropriate by members of the social group to which an individual belongs.” Nevertheless, the definition provides a rather vague answer that opens us up to a further search for further answers. In other words, Charlie is classified as an individual suffering from a behavior disorder, solely due to the disapproval and resentment of the individuals in his surroundings. To be precise, his inability to have a proper conversation, cooperation, or interaction with other individuals can be seen as a virtual cause to his disorder becoming disruptive to his social life. Furthermore, his repressed despair and sorrow lead to him to have sudden outbursts and attempts of violence upon himself and others under arbitrary circumstancial or situational conditions. In addition, Charlie not only lacks the ability to have a normal interaction with others, but also consciously holds himself back from any form of communications, as he refuses several times to discuss the reasons behind his “disorder” with his psychiatrist.

Analyzing the different, yet same in the sense that they all lead to classifying his case as a behavior disorder, symptoms of Charlie and the negative influences they thrust upon him, treatment is only necessary and inevitable, considering our society’s lack of tolerance for any form of aberrations. As much as it is used to cure various other disorders, medication would be an essential part of Charlie’s treatment. Despite its inability to treat the fundamental causes of the disorder, it alleviates secondary symptoms such as depression or anxiety. Other treatments include EMDR, a cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, detailed programs and scheduled meetings with a psychiatrist, and therapy done by close peers, in this case, Charlie’s friend.

Placing myself in the perspective of a close friend of Charlie, leading him to slowly begin interacting with others with the ability to discuss his past memories, even stories about his family, would be the most efficient way to not only help Charlie, but the individuals in his surroundings. As a friend, I would, not forcefully, attempt to naturally lead him into a conversation about his life before the loss of his family, for the purpose of giving him the ability to see his bright future awaiting by breaking the chain between himself and his tragic past. Nonetheless, Charlie’s difficulty with his social and occupational life would not be perceived as the most concerning disorder, for the chief element that needs the most efficient cure is Charlie himself and his mind. Thus, a true treatment that would genuinely beneficial for Charlie would be unconditional understanding, love, and support for the brighter days of his future.