Shrinking Charlie Sheen

I didn’t mean to, but faced with another episode of the increasingly dreary Parenthood, I watched Charlie Sheen do his thang last night.  It took me back to graduate school when those of us doing an MA in Psych were made to watch films of People In Distress and then do a diagnostic intake on them.  I got out my Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known affectionately as the DSM-IV-TR, and here’s what I, pre-licensed to practice Marriage and Family Therapy, have to say about Mr. Sheen:

Patient (Pt) is a well-spoken male who seems aware of his surroundings; however, he exhibits elements of delusion.  These do not seem consistent with any Schizophrenic Disorder.  More likely, they are a function of Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders and/or Drug Use.  The following must be Ruled Out (RO) before a final diagnosis can be made:

RO Bipolar Disorder I–characterized by one or more manic episodes–and/or Substance-Induced Mood Disorder, a prominent and persistent disturbance in mood that is judged to be a direct physiological consequence of drug abuse. Clinician’s note (CN): Given the pts history of drug abuse and given the permanent effects of drugs on the physiology of the brain, one can assume that the Mood Disorder is more or less permanent.

RO Histrionic Personality Disorder, a pervasive and excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.

RO Narcissistic Personality Disorder, shows five (or more) of the following: (1) grandiose sense of self-importance, (2) preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brillance, beauty, or ideal love, (3) believe he is special and unique and can only be understood by other such people, (4) requires excessive admiration, (5) has a sense of entitlement, (6) is interpersonally exploitative, (7) lacks empathy, (8) often believes other are envious of him, (8) shows arrogant, haughy behaviors or attitudes.  Clinician’s note: Bingo!

Tribal Blogs is sponsoring this blog carnival.  Hit Charlie in the face to see all the bloggers that have weighed in on Mr. Sheen.

Photo credit:  psychology.wikia.com




Popularity: unranked [?]

Tagged as: , , , , ,

  • http://www.redheadranting.com/ Jen

    This is the best diagnoses I have yet seen on Mr. Sheen. When I saw one of the analyst say he was simply a father in pain I spit coffee on the TV. He has issues, I don’t know how he can fix them but he needs some help and to get off the TV.

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    Jen,
    It was fun doing. I had to stop myself from a full out Diagnostic Workup, which would have been even more fun, but would take too long.

    As for fixing Charlie, Personality Disorders are complicated and respond best to psychotherapy and psychotropic medication (which he’s already told us he’s not doing). There had to have been something that tipped him over the edge this time; probably what he was referring to when he talked about being himself, rather than what people wanted him to be.

  • pam

    I like this; I think you are right on the money.

    Someone was joking that Emilio Estavez is probably looking forward to Thanksgiving for the first time ever.

  • http://nonamedufus.blogspot.com/ nonamedufus

    I can summarize his problem in 3 words: He’s. Lost. It. Although, I guess it remains to be seen if he ever had it.

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    @nonamedufus,
    Indeed. And what might the It have been that he lost?

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    @pam,
    There was a woeful shot of Emilio last night, sitting next to his father who was making his drug abuse/cancer analogy (which really really offended Charlie). I wouldn’t be surprised to find Dear Dad at the root of this.

  • http://roses2rainbows.blogspot.com Linda

    Sounds like a reasonable diagnosis, or at least a place to start when trying to put the pieces back together.

  • http://nannygoatsinpanties.com Margaret (Nanny Goats)

    Wow – that last disorder doesn’t just hit the nail on the head. It slaps 4 coats of paint on it and installs a window!

  • http://mommamiameaculpa.com meleah rebeccah

    That really WAS the perfect diagnoses!

  • http://mommamiameaculpa.com meleah rebeccah

    *came here through Tribal Blogs*

    I have to agree with Margaret & Jennifer. This is the BEST diagnoses of Charlie Sheen thus far! BRAVO.

  • http://www.atticusuncensored.com Heidi & Atticus

    Great post Jane and good meeting you at Fox & Goose SacConnect meet up this week! I agree with your diagnosis… such grandiose thoughts and gestures, “tigers blood”, “goddesses” etc… it’s just not right…

    I also wrote of Charlie’s exploits yesterday (it was just too hard to resist!) See you around the bloggersphere :)

    Heidi & Atticus
    http://www.atticusuncensored.com
    “commentary to give you paws…”

  • http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com BoomBoomLarew

    The DSM-IV does not lie!

  • http://thebestparts.net Ferd

    Yep, right on!
    I’m guessing he has a dual diagnosis, if not several! He is a piece of work!
    The bipolar narcissistic alcoholic crackhead dumbass from mars!
    Wait… is dumbass in the DSM? It should be! Just for Charlie!

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    @Linda,
    As Ferd reminds me, we’re probably dealing with a double (if not quadruple) diagnosis here. 4Dx–sounds like a bra size.

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    @BoomBoom
    Indeed, the DSM-IV just adjudicates.

  • http://midlifebloggers.com byjane

    @Ferd,
    Yes yes! In my haste to get the pt shipped out of intake, I forgot about our friend, the Dual Diagnosis. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

  • http://www.thefiftyfactor.com Joanna Jenkins

    Remember that old commercial– This is your brain… This is your brain on drugs with the sizzling fried egg. The new installment can simply be a picture of Charlie and the words– This is your brain after waaaaaaay to many years drugs.

    I feel sorry for his kids. Oy.

  • http://www.laferle.com Cindy La Ferle

    I really wonder about our society, our culture, for giving this idiot so much attention. It feeds on itself. If we all ignored it, there wouldn’t be such a market for the nonsense. As Dr. Phil would say, “there’s a village out there that’s missing its idiot.”

Previous post:

Next post: