Hypothesized Diagnosis
Narcissistic personality disorder is a disorder in which the individual is selfish and cares just about their own needs, with no worry about consequences or consideration for other individuals. This type of disorder controls one’s ability to engage in empathy or sympathy resulting in a constant need to maintain their own self behaviors with a lack of respect for others.
The DSM-5 criteria for this disorder is as follows: This individual has a high sense of self-interest and self-love with lack of empathy usually beginning in early adulthood. A diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder requires distinct criteria, the individual is required to meet a some/all of the following:
1. Self-importance and a tendency to exaggerate their “accomplishments.”
2. Presentation of a wild imagination about self or adventures they’ve endured; fantasies, success, power, and love/relationships.
3. Belief that they are more important than others and can only surround themselves with people of their same “value.”
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4. Yearns for admiration from those around them; even strangers.
5. Believes they should receive special treatment regardless of the situation.
6. Takes advantage of others to make themselves look and feel better; lacking respect and empathy for the outcome.
7. Displays a lack of sympathy and empathy for others; tends to be jealous.
Biopsychosocial Factors and Interactions of Factors
Biopsychosocial factors in psychology is the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors within an individual’s life style. These factors assist in understanding the individual’s health and illness. The point of a biopsychosocial view is to demonstrate issues relating to health that are properties of a multifaceted interaction of these three factors.
Biological Factors
Although a person cannot be defined by biological factors, they can have a major impact on one’s behavior, such as Lisa’s communication and contact with others. Lisa Rowe presents with altered ways of thinking and interacting with others. She lacks the ability to talk about her downfalls and constantly manipulates others into thinking they are unworthy of her attention. Select character traits can specify a susceptibility for issues with physical or mental health, such as hostility or impulsiveness steering them into criminal activity. Lisa has no remorse when she steals from her recently dead “friend.” She sticks her hand straight into Daisey’s robe pocket pulling out a wad of cash, with a lack of facial expression replies “she’s not going to need it,” as she hangs from her bathroom shower rod.
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She never fully discusses her mental illness or situation leading to her admission into the mental institution. One obvious fact, throughout the movie, is that she lacks parental bonding or has a lack of support from outside family and friends. The diagnosis of mental illness, such as narcissism or personality disorder, can fully destroy relationships.
Psychological Factors
People subconsciously utilize their psychosocial factors to dictate their approach to solve life problems. There are plenty of psychological factors that play into why Lisa Rowe is so aggressive and demanding. She has learned, from day to day interactions, that she can manipulate others by being cruel and aggressive. Her mind immediately advises her how to respond to get her needs met. These psychological factors are the dynamic to her sense of humanity. Lisa is unable to comprehend that her approach is rude or hurtful, as she no longer comprehends the influence of her actions.
Social Factors
Social factors are direct influences that can affect human day to day living. Religion, ethnicity, family life, physical status, economic status, education level obtained, location, life partners, children and political systems are a few factors that control or influence psychosocial
engagement. Social factors are ways in which the individual engages with others. Generally, they will surround themselves with people alike, to maintain bonds and common goals. Lisa has no problem with her social well-being, during her inpatient stay, in fact, Lisa is the head of her group. Everyone in Claymore Hospital tends to fear Lisa, making it easy for her to control the
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environment and manipulate the system. Lisa utilizes her education, related to her frequent inpatient stays to manipulate staff and her physical status to control her group.
Interaction of Factors
Biological factors are believed to be the main factor for human behavior. This factor can result significantly in the development of mental illnesses because biological factors are entirely internal. A biological factor can shape many conditions; such as physical, physiological, neurological, chemical or genetic. This will lead to an impact in the way an individual speaks, interprets information and acts. Lisa’s behavior stems from biological aspects of her upbringing. Individuals with a dysfunctional past tend to avoid sharing; Lisa hides her past very well. From a biological standpoint this is a result of the complex neurochemical system.
Psychological factors are the ways a person thinks, feels and functions. The three psychological factors that impact humans are personality traits, psychodynamic processes and learned cognition. One learns cognition throughout their day while interacting with others. Social factors are direct influences that can affect human day to day living. Religion, ethnicity, family life, physical status, economic status, education level obtained, location, life partners, children and political systems are a few factors that control or influence psychosocial engagement. From a psychological aspect, it’s learned behavior; not learned from others but learned from the outcomes. Lisa manipulates because she discovered it benefits her.
Her social factors are the ability to use her physical status and aggression to meet her needs. Individuals with narcissism tendencies usually want the spotlight, the upper-hand, the “queen” role, just like Lisa; and get it by way of manipulation and aggressiveness.
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Conclusion
Lisa enjoys inappropriate behaviors resulting in punishment (criminal or social), has sociopathic tendencies, manipulates her peers and lacks empathy for others. These factors are probably the most important and play the biggest role as to why my hypothesized diagnosis for Lisa is Narcissistic Personality Disorder with sociopathic tendencies. With the strong and overpowering characteristics Lisa lives with, she more than likely will live in Claymore Hospital, forever.
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References
Charactour.com. (2018). I'm a match to Lisa Rowe from Girl, Interrupted. [online] Available at: https://www.charactour.com/hub/characters/view/Lisa-Rowe.Girl-Interrupted
Durand, M. and Barlow, D. (2016). Essentials of Abnormal Psychology / Edition 7. [online] Cengage Learning. Available at: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/essentials-of-abnormal-psychology-v-mark-durand/1124314501
Aslinger, E. N., Manuck, S. B., Pilkonis, P. A., Simms, L. J., & Wright, A. G. C. (2018). Narcissist or narcissistic? Evaluation of the latent structure of narcissistic personality disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 127(5), 496–502. https://libezp.nmsu.edu:2072/10.1037/abn0000363.supp (Supplemental)