Diagnose Michael on The Office

RNfromMN, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2006

i love this! i'm an office freak:bugeyes: , but you're right...michael creeps me out sometimes, too. i'd write him off as a jerk, but then every once in awhile, he'll show a different side of himself. have you seen any of the episodes that has kids on it? there's a halloween episode where he's just a jerk all day long, then the last scene is him sitting at home all alone until kids ring his doorbell and he's just so sweet to them:icon_hug: . same thing happens in "bring your daughter to work day episode."

as far as diagnosis, i'm gonna go with, "narcissistic personality disorder." allow me to dork-out for a minute here: my notes classify this as, "pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, indicated by 5 or more of the following:

:typing

-grandiose sense of self-importance (!)

-preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance (wait, dwight?), beauty or ideal love (!)

-believes they're special/unique and can only be understood by other special/high status people

-require excessive admiration (!)

-has sense of entitlement

-is interpersonally exploitive (!)

-lacks empathy (!)

-is envious of others or believes that others are envious of self

-shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes (!)

TemperStripe · Dec 1, 2006

Yes, I watch this show religiously and I would definintely agree with the nacissistic personality disorder. I am not a nurse but I do have a bachelor's degree in psychology.

The thing that gets me about that show is sometimes it is SO uncomfortable that I just want to give Michael a big hug, because everyone hates him and he's so ignorant of it...then again, he is SUCH a jerk sometimes, it just makes me cross my legs with pain.

Now what would we diagnose Dwight with? :)

bookwormom · Dec 1, 2006

Would histrionic personality disorder fit? (From online Merke Manual)

Histrionic (Hysterical) Personality: People with a histrionic personality conspicuously seek attention, are dramatic (Think about the prison episode last night)and excessively emotional, and are overly concerned with appearance. Their lively, expressive manner results in easily established but often superficial and transient relationships. Their expression of emotions often seems exaggerated, childish (remember him pretending to be a baby last night, crouching under the desk), and contrived to evoke sympathy or attention (often erotic or sexual) from others.

People with a histrionic personality are prone to sexually provocative behavior ( I can think of a few things here) with the or to sexualizing nonsexual relationships (like with his boss, Jan). However, they may not really want a sexual relationship; rather, their seductive behavior often masks their wish to be dependent and protected. Some people with a histrionic personality also are hypochondriacal (Remember when he hurt his foot and and to be waited on?) and exaggerate their physical problems to get the attention they need.

Hmmm, I'm really thinking about Dwight now. Of course, Angela has some issues, too. She's not as funny, though.

Interesting. And really, a lot like real workplaces, I'm sorry to say.

TemperStripe · Dec 1, 2006

To be honest, I don't know that I'd diagnose Dwight with anything but "Brown Noser Syndrome." He's quite odd, yes, but he doesn't strike me as anything more than that. Dwight is my very favorite character though. He never fails to make me laugh so hard I cry, when he does those little side glances to the camera. I'm laughing just thinking about it.

abbythetabby · Dec 9, 2006

What a great thread! I would have to say bookwormom hit the nail on the head with histrionic.