Melvin Udall Essay

At the start of the movie Melvin Udall engages in the same routine everyday. He wakes and eats the same breakfast at the same restaurant with the same waitress every single day. He makes sure to avoid cracks in the sidewalk on his way there and brings his own silverware for fear of contamination. He returns home and is sure to lock the door multiple times. He writes novels on his computer and plays the piano but has no significant relationships and it outwardly rude to everyone he encounters. His publisher attempts to make personal, small talk with him and he abruptly cuts her off. The secretary at the publishing house tries to flirt with him but he has zero interest. He is intimidating towards his neighbors and any other waitress at the restaurant

After his neighbor is jumped he agrees to take care of his dog. The affection from the dog is the first insight Melvin has into the productivity of relationships. He then agrees to allow Simon to move in with him and helps the waitress pay her child’s medical bills. There are still things that stand in the way of Melvin fully engaging in his relationships, like his inability to wear a borrowed suit. He began taking his medication, something his doctor had been suggesting for years, after the waitress became a feature in his life. He tells her that she makes him want to be a better man. His compulsions begin to diminish and he breaks his routine to be there for the individuals he begins to care

Avoidant behaviors, such as those experienced by Melvin, can also occur in anxiety disorders. However, the recurrent thoughts that are usually present in GAD are typically about real life concerns, whereas the obsessions of OCD usually do not involve real life concerns (DSM-V, 2013.) There is evidence that worrying has both maladaptive consequences such as avoidance and interfering as well as adaptive coping strategies that indicate that worrying can be preparational and motivating (Borcovec et. al., 1995.) While the study supports the notion that worrying did help clients cope with unpleasant events it is unclear whether or not worry serves these motivational and preparational functions (Borcovec et. al.,