A Case Study of Adolescent

Michael was from a lower middle class environment. He was the youngest of

three children and the only boy. His mother was very protective and he was very

close to her. Sex was a taboo subject in his household. His mother taught that

premarital sexual behavior relationships were sinful. Michael could never talk to

anyone about any type of relationships. His mother said he was too young to worry

about girls, he should be more concerned about his career. He was not close to

his father. His father never took up time with him with any hobbies. They hardly

talked to each other. When his mother died, his sisters related to him in a protective

manner and pampered and fussed over him. He was frequently the “teacher’s pet”.

He was never good at any sports, so he didn’t fit in with other boys. He took up

time with a boy who also did not fit in because he wasn’t good at sports, so they had

The results discovered by Dr. T. were that Michael showed evidence of anxiety,

depression, repetitive and bothersome thoughts. From the TAT experiment Michael

saw persons being punished for wrongdoings. And the punishmen

. . .

The therapy helped Michael gain a better understanding of how a change in

behavior on his part would in turn affect another person’s behavior.

There has been speculation about possible hormonal influences in the development

of sexual preferences and sexual orientation. The homosexual oriented individual most likely had

an opportunity to observe, and be reinforced for, different types of behavior than the

heterosexually inclined individual. A study done an two homosexual males

had abnormally low testosterone levels.

The changing attitudes about sexual preferences are reflected in the 1973 decision of

the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from the 1968

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual’s classification of mental disorders. He interacted with others

in a nonassertive manner. He felt he was able to deal

with others in a more comfortable manner. discovered that Michael’s

anxiety, guilt, and depression were not due to a wish to change his sexual orientation. What is labeled as normal in one culture might be considered

abnormal in a different culture.

Research comparing the general psychological functioning of male homosexual as

compared to appropriately matched heterosexual groups indicates no differences in

overall adjustment between the two groups.

His sexual orientation was not a psychosexual disorder in the sense of being unwanted. were devoted to a discussion of

Michael’s feelings of guilt about his homosexual behavior, his attitude that he was

inferior and unattractive. There is an official

recognition of homosexuality as an alternative life style, a symptom of abnormal

behavior.

Common topics in this essay:
Dr Michael, Statistical Manuals, DISORDER Michael, homosexual behavior, Psychiatric Association, sexual orientation, sexual preferences, homosexual behavior considered, testosterone levels, behavior considered, feelings guilt, psychosexual disorder, therapy recommended,

Approximate Word count = 850
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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