Family Therapy Case Study Norman Bates

Clinical Report: Normal Bates from Bates Motel

Background: Norman Bates is a single 22-year old, Caucasian male, who lives with his mother, Norma Bates, and older half-brother, Dylan Massett who lives in White Pine Bay, Oregon. When Norman was younger he lived in Arizona with his mother and father, Sam, who Norman killed when he was 16 years old. The two then moved to White Pine Bay, Oregon when Norman was 17. They opened and ran an old motel together. Norman attended White Pine Bay High School, but then dropped out and was homeschooled by his mother around the age of 18. Around the age of 22, Norman developed other personality called “Mother”. She had emerged fully and slowly started to take over Norman’s life, specifically after the death of his mother. No one seemed to know why Norman was acting like this; therefore he did not have much support to get help with his disorder.
Presenting Problem(s): Norman shows signs of dissociative identity disorder (DID, or multiple personality disorder).

One option is psychotherapy. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy says that this treatment consists individual psychotherapy and can last from five to seven years in adults. The goal of this is to integrate the separate personalities into one. This does not work if the individual is not ready to move on from the trauma. This seems to be one of the best options for Norman. Family therapy is also an option, however, in this case, it would not be ideal for Norman because his parents are dead, and his brother doesn’t live with him. Group therapy is also not a good option for Norman because his other personality has homicidal tendencies; therefore revealing what “Mother” has done would not be very welcoming in a group. There currently are no medications that treat DID because it is not an organic disorder or a chemical