Applying Theory to a Case Study: Discussing the Case of Paul from a Adlerian Perspective - Essay Example

? Applying Theory to a Case Study: Discussing the Case of Paul from a Adlerian Perspective Due Introduction Since the beginning of human civilization, people have been trying to figure out why human beings do as they do, think as they do, feel as they do, and behave as they do. Throughout time many theories have been embraced as the definitive explanations of the nature of human behavior. This is how the field of psychology was born; if one can understand what makes people as they are, then we can understand how to alter people’s behaviors or feelings that are self-destructive or in some way not beneficial to healthful and productive living. There are, today, so many possible psychological theories, counseling approaches, and therapeutic activities intended to benefit people suffering from psychological issues that it can become mentally dizzying. For this reason, the best way to understand how the theories and approaches are most beneficial is to focus on one perspective and apply to a legitimate case study; Paul’s struggle with anxiety and depression is a fantastic opportunity to explore the ideology behind the Adlerian psychological theory. History Adlerian psychology theory was credited to its creator and namesake Alfred Adler. Adler was born on February 7, 1870 in Vienna, Austria, to a wealthy couple in the suburbs. Although his degree was in ophthalmology, he had a fixation with human behavior. He would, ultimately, write 2 articles for Austria’s Medical News Bulletin. He also gave a positive review of Sigmund Freud’s most recent book discussing dream analysis. This earned him an invitation from Freud to join his circle of thinkers. Although the two would work closely, they were never close friends, and their relationship would, ultimately, end badly and neither would be willing to ever speak of the other. A good portion of this division between these men most likely stemmed from Adler’s perception of psychology, which directly contradicted a few of Freud’s positions. Although Adler believed there was merit to much of Freud’s work, he disagreed on a few specific points. He minimizes the power that sex has on overall personality. He focused more on the conscious than the unconscious, and he found the idea of Freud’s assumption that most women suffer from “penis envy” to be absurd. He saw it as a means for men to feel superior over women and limit the opportunity for gender equality (Cosner, 2006). The three fundamental principles that characterize the Adlerian theory include purposiveness, which simply means that all human beings are goal directed and have a purpose. Next is social Interest, which explains that humans, as social beings, need to find their place within a group. Most people’s problems in life are created by problems of interaction with one another. The last principle, holism, supports Adler’s belief that people are a unified organism attempting to achieve a goal, therefore one cannot be viewed and understood in parts but only as the whole being (Milliren, Evans & Newbauer, 2013). Adler’s core ideology was a very positive interpretation of the human condition. He firmly held that we have choices in how we will live our lives. He also believed that disturbances in a person’s mental health stem from two conditions: either by having excessive feelings of inferiority or from nonexistent or undeveloped feelings of belonging within the “community.” One working under the principles of Adlerian theory would treat the individuals that they work with as having the potential to be individual, goal-oriented, self-determined, unique, social, feeling, thinking, and capable members of their reality and their life (Stein & Edwards, 2013). Paul, according to the case study, is a 34-year-old male suffering from severe depression and anxiety. These issues have been bothering him since he was in his 20s, but he has only been receiving treatment for about 7 months. He is an only child born to a military couple, who were for some time stationed in Germany. He attended school with the intention of becoming a successful artist. However, his art career was, ultimately, disappointing and he has continued to have little success. For this reason he perceives himself to be a failure. He does not trust his own judgment and anticipates failure. Although he is a newly-wed, he admits that he has always had difficulties in relationships with women. Paul’s most significant issue is his depression and anxiety, which are affecting his self-esteem and self-image. This, of course, wholly contributes to his secondary issues including his difficulties with women and the excessive amount of self-value he feels is represented by his success and failures in the arts and in his life. Discussion From an Adlerian perspective, Paul’s most pressing issue is his low self-esteem and poor self-image, which are side effects of a serious “inferiority complex.” Adler’s advocates believe that we become subject to inferior feelings as children. During the most formidable developmental stages, children, who are isolated, have physical or social difficulties, or receive criticism from family, teachers, and peers, may develop inferiority complexes in adulthood. This self-deprecating behavior may make the person become indecisive, submissive, insecure, timid, shy, and even cowardly. The focus of their lives can become centered on their deficiencies; any failures become verification of those inadequacies (Mitchell, 2012). Paul’s issues from an Adlerian viewpoint are entirely interconnected. Our childhood and family experiences play a huge role in who we become as adults, for better or worse. Paul was an only child. This has significance in Adlerian theory. Only children are often the center of attention, the shining star, with no sibling competition or rivalry. They can become quite stubborn to those who do not acknowledge them they way they would like or give them what they want (Milliren, Evans, & Newbauer, 2013). His birth order may have contributed to the extreme feelings of failure when his art career did not turn out as he would have liked. They can become discouraged and disillusioned. This also contributes to one of his secondary issues involving his art career. Adlerian theory claims that striving for competency and even perfection is a perfectly normal part of human development and growth until the goal becomes unrealistic or too much importance is placed on those achievements (Rice, Ashby, & Slaney, 1998). Paul’s association with doing well as an artist translates directly to him as doing well as a person: not to do well as an artist is to do poorly as a person. Paul now perceives his own decisions to be just another avenue to further disappointment and failure. Another secondary issue of consequence is his difficulty in relationships. He is a newly-wed but has no immediate plans to start a family. Depression and anxiety can have a huge impact on a married couple. Both members of the relationship are affected by the sadness, mood swings, isolations, and all of the other by-products of Paul’s depression and anxiety caused by inferiority complex. It is likely that the limited connection he felt with his mother may make bonding with females more difficult. Also, his inferiority complex may lead him to believe that he will fail at marriage. Low self-esteem would justify it and because of his poor self-image, he may already anticipate the failure as inevitable – not unlike a self-fulfilling prophecy. “Encouragement is essential for the counseling in the Adlerian style of therapy” (Watts & Pietrzak, 2000). Adlerian theory, generally, refers to “patients” as clients; they are not sick – just trapped in unhealthy ways of thinking. These two elements are absolutes in hopes of successful treatment. In Paul’s case, individual counseling, where he can guide himself and his own realizations, would definitely be beneficial. Couple counseling would be helpful to both Paul and his wife. He can begin to trust himself, his wife, and his judgment, while she can benefit from a better understanding of what her partner is going through (Waldrop, 2009). Finally, art therapy might be ideal for Paul because he is already an artist, allowing him to use his existing talents as part of his journey of self-realization and, hopefully, his transformation (Adler Graduate School, 2012). Issues & Solutions There is a very strong cultural and societal myth that can be a roadblock in treating Paul, and most men, for depression and anxiety. Depression is often perceived as a “female issue” because it appears to be more common among women than men (Helmer, 2011). Men are far less likely to be willing to admit an emotional or mental problem, may not recognize, and reluctant to seek treatment. This may explain why Paul waited until he was into his thirties to seek the help of a counselor. The idea that men should be able to handle their own problems, never appear weak, and never admit defeat can make the process all the more difficult (Mayo Clinic, 2013). If Paul was to proceed with Adlerian therapy, it is likely that the therapies suggested earlier would prove to have profound results. The combination of individual counseling, couples therapy, and art therapy will produce a new Paul – one that is more confident, develops self-esteem, has a more open, trusting relationship, and a “rekindling” experience of his own competency as an artist, enjoying his craft, with far less focus on success or failure. Conclusion In the end, psychology continues to attempt to treat the minds of people in hopes of benefitting individuals within society. Adlerian theory offers optimism to those whom its practitioners treat. Individual human beings do play a role in their own fate; change can occur. Alfred Adler himself said it best when he explained that, “Meanings are not determined by situations. We determine ourselves by the meanings we ascribe to situations” (Adlerian psychology / psychotherapy, 2013). That said, in this particular case study, if his Adlerian therapist can help Paul to see his reality and his value within it in a new way, then Paul has the opportunity to live a more fulfilling life and change his “fate,” so to speak. However, the positive encouragement and holistic elements of Adlerian theory have a great deal of success throughout the years. Ultimately, there may never be a single theory of therapy that is ideal for every individual in every psychological situation. But with all of the potentially applicable and diverse approaches that can be entirely appropriate to benefit the needs of our diverse peoples all over the world, there is hope. References Adler Graduate School. (2012). Art therapy. Retrieved from http://www.alfredadler.edu/programs/masters/art-therapy. Adlerian psychology / psychotherapy. (2013, May 14). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/Adlerian-Psychology.html. Cosner, L. (2006). Alfred Adler. Retrieved from http://faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/psyography/alfredadler.html. Helmer, J. (2011). One-two punch. Esperanza, Spring, 1. Retrieved from http://www.hopetocope.com/Item.aspx/815/one-two-punch. Mayo Clinic. (2013, May 13). Male depression: Understanding the issues. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-depression/MC0004. Milliren, A. P., Evans, T. D., & Newbauer, J. F. (2013). Adlerian theory. Retrieved from http://www.carterandevans.com/portal/index.php/adlerian-theory/69-adlerian-theory. Mitchell, G. (2012). Alfred Adler & Adlerian individual psychology. Retrieved from http://www.trans4mind.com/mind-development/adler.html. Rice, K. G., Ashby, J. S., & Slaney, R. B. (1998). Self-esteem as a mediator between perfectionism and depression: A structural equations analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45(3), 304–314. Retrieved from http://mres.gmu.edu/pmwiki/uploads/Main/Rice1998.pdf. Stein, H. T., & Edwards, M. E. (2013). Classical Adlerian theory & practice. Retrieved from http://www.adlerian.us/theoprac.htm. Waldrop, S. A. (2009). Hand in hand. Esperanza, Summer, 3. Retrieved from http://www.hopetocope.com/item.aspx?id=555. Watts , R. E., & Pietrzak, D. (2000). Adlerian "encouragment" and the therapeutic process of solution-focused brief therapy. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78(Fall), 442–447. Retrieved from http://www.centroadleriano.org/publicaciones/Encouragement.pdf. Read More