Friday, March 20, 2020

Jacks Multiple Personalities in Fight Club

Jacks Multiple Personalities in Fight Club Free Online Research Papers When we first meet the main character, only identified as Jack, he has a gun to his head battling his split personality, Tyler Durdan. He then takes you back many months so you can know how it is he came to that state. Jack is a 30 year old single white male complaining of insomnia for over 6 months. His job as a liability consultant for an automotive company requires him to take frequent trips to different time zones, usually on a short notice, therefore leaving him jet lagged. This issue has endured for at least six months. He states he is in pain and wants something to just make him sleep. Jack states that on several occasions he has woken up in strange places and does not know how or when he got there. He realized that having blackouts (not due to substance abuse or general medical condition) was disturbing and unusual behavior. The doctor he visited dismisses his claims and suggests he attend a support group for cancer to witness real pain. An image of his alter-ego briefly appears at that moment. Due to his job, Jack does not have any immediate friends or family. He refers to the passengers on the planes as his single serving friend. Jack begins attending a variety of support groups for ailments that he does not have in order to do something during his bouts of insomnia. After the first few meetings, Jacks insomnia seemed to elapse and he uses the meetings as his sleeping pill. His recovery is short lived due to another fake survivor, Marla Singer. Her presence in his groups threatened his sleep because she knows that he is faking. The patient is coherent and can fully comprehend what is going on around him. His dress is appropriate however his clothes are unkempt. His hair is disheveled and dirty. He appears to look anxious with dark circles under his eyes and not shaven in a couple of days. His posture is slumped. PRESENTING PROBLEM: While on a plane returning from a business trip Jack meets Tyler Durdan, his split personality. Tyler is the complete opposite of Jack. He is everything that Jack wishes he could be. With his red tinted sunglasses and leather jacket he resembles more of a rock star as compared to Jacks drab wardrobe of white button up shirts and brown ties. Jack seems intrigued about Tyler and claims he is the most interesting single serving friend that he has ever met. When Jack returns to his condo he finds out that his apartment has exploded. All of his prize possessions, his IKEA furniture, have been destroyed. He feels pathetic of the fact that when they recover his belongings they will only find condiments in his refrigerator, thus exposing that he had no life. Jack called onto his inner self, Tyler to help rescue him from his dismal life. Jack retreats to a vacant house in the middle of no where and that is where the relationship between Jack and Tyler formulate. Initially, Jack is unaware tha t Tyler is not real. This is shown by the fact that he refers to himself as us, engages in conversions, fist fights with Tyler and at one point even sharing a beer with Tyler. SITUATIONS STRESSORS: Jack feels unsatisfied with his life. He feels abandoned by friends and most importantly his family. His father deserted the family when he was a little boy. His career leaves him discontented and unfulfilling. After the explosion of his condo his old personality, Jack, began to digress and Tyler Durdan was brought to surface. The initial meeting with Tyler ends in an altercation attack. Tyler encourages Jack to hit him, which in reality is really him. He has a physical fist fight with himself in the parking lot, leaving him badly bruised externally however emotional healed. The fighting allowed him to release all of his pent up frustrations with his life. From this emerged Fight Club. Fight Club was a place where men could go and fight each other to let it all go. Theyre fighting was a way to relieve stress for their cruel lives. These men felt refreshed and saw it as therapy. MENTAL STATUS EXAM: During the duration of the movie Jacks appearance continued to deteriorate. His clothes became more tousled. He went to work looking as if he didnt take a bath, wash his hair or shave, the circles under his eyes got darker and heavier. His shirts were often stained with blood and his face was always bruised from the fights. His boss noted his appearance and suggested he take time off to get himself together. Although Jack physically looked horrible, his work performance did not suffer. He would turn in his assignments on time and complete. When Tyler was in charge of the body he engaged in a sexual relationship with one time nemesis, Marla Singer. When Jacks personality would reappear after an encounter with her he would be verbally hostile towards her and kick her out of his house. Marla, who was a self destructive person to begin with, continued this relationship despite the verbal abuse she received from Jack. Jack continued to participate in Fight Club for over a year. He no longer needed the support groups to feel good about himself. The clubs grew from a few members, to hundreds, even thousands. As the Fight Clubs expanded, so did the destruction. It went from men fighting in the basement of a bar to vandalizing buildings, cars and other symbols of repression by society. In a sense, Fight Club turned into a mini-army of men who felt repressed by the government. Most of the men were blue collar workers who seemed as if they could never get ahead in life. They idealized Tyler Durdan and looked up to him as if he were God. They terrorized cities in his honor. The exposure from the media only fueled their zeal for destruction. As Fight Club grew so did the persona of Tyler Durdan. When Jack noticed these men were giving credit for their new found happiness only to Tyler, he felt jealous and rejected. SYMPTOMS OF IMPAIRED FUNCTIONING: Jacks bouts with insomnia, violent behavior, and black outs, interrupted his normal day to day living. When Jack had his insomnia, Tylers personality took over and got jobs where he could interject subtle doses of shock to people. For instance, he worked as a waiter where he urinated in the food. He also worked at a movie theater changing the film. Instead of just changing the rolls of film, he cut and pasted snippets of pornographic images into the film. The people viewing the movies only saw a snapshot of a naked person for less than a second. Jacks aggression carried over into his work place. When his boss became annoyed with his unkempt appearance, absenteeism and apathetic attitude he fired him. Instead of responding rational, Jack beat himself up in his bosss office and blackmailed by threatening to expose company corruption or to keep him on as an outside consultant in exchange for his silence. This afforded him and Tyler with more time to devote to Fight Club to participate i n the expansion in different cities and states. Most times when Jack involved himself with Tyler Durdan he was aware of what actions that Tyler was doing. He usually was a silent bystander while Tyler masterminded mayhem. Other times he would have outright conversations with Tyler in front of others, questioning his actions. The only times Jack was not conscious of what was going on around him was when he was with Marla Singer or traveling to recruit new members. PATIENTS STRENGTHS AND ASSETS: Even though Tyler Durdan had no respect for others, experienced no fear or regrets, Jacks caring disposition makes him rational in chaotic situations. He understands the difference between whats right and wrong. When Fight Club escalated to the mayhem that erupted on the city, Jack did not feel comfortable with it. He questioned Tylers intent; however, Tyler did not want Jack to be involved. He stated that Jack determined his own level of involvement with him. His regard for other people is evident when one the Fight Club members, Bob, was killed during a botched vandalism attempt. The other members of the club wanted to bury him in the back yard as if he were just evidence of their devious acts. Jack had to remind the men that he was a human being with feelings not just a disregarded object. Another example of Jacks softer side was obvious when he felt that Marla was in danger. He attempted to rescue her by putting her on a bus away from harms way. Tyler did not want Jack to discuss him or his actions to anyone, especially her. When the lines between Tyler and Jack started to get blurry, he went to Marla to ask her questions about Tyler. Once this door was opened, Tyler Durdan wanted to get rid of Marla to prevent Jack from seeking out more answers about reality. Tyler felt as though, once Jack knew that Tyler was really within him and causing all this havoc that he would retreat back to his old boring self. It is clearly apparent that Jack possess excellent organizational skills and leadership ability. The way he evolved fight club from a bunch of guys just fighting into an a group of soldiers conducting calculated terrorist attacks to the city was more on the lines of a General in the army instead of a Liability Consultant. Even though Tyler Durdans persona was the mastermind behind the coordination, the ability to do so came from deep within Jack. DIAGNOSIS: AXIS I: NONE AXIS IV: NONE AXIS II: DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER AXIS V: GAF SCORE-30 AXIS III: NONE DIAGNOSTIC COMMENTS: Jacks life was unfulfilling and unsatisfying. He had no friends or family. He lived alone and the only contact to the outside world was his job. Jack wanted a change in his life. The personality of Tyler Durdan was created to make Jack become the person he wished he could be. He created the other self to free himself from his bleak world. However, Jack was oblivious to the fact that he indeed was creating an alternate personality. After a car accident that Tyler caused, which Tyler Durdan referred to as a near life experience, he had a revelation and that is when it became apparent to him that he and Tyler were undoubtedly one in the same. Tyler Durdans philosophy on life was live life like you were dying while Jack was cautious and calculated. Since he worked as a Liability Consultant for an automotive company he saw the danger in everything. The split between the conscious happened once Jack was completely frustrated at how his life at 30 years old turned out. He intentionally blew up his condo to start fresh. However, when his alter-ego turned out to be more than he was willing to handle that is when he decided to wipe him out. He did this by attempting to kill himself in order to get rid of Tyler Durdan. Fortunately, he only killed Tyler Durdan not himself. TREATMENT GOALS Learn to disentangle Jack from his alternate personality Boost Self Esteem Teach Jack how to deal with situation stressors rationally Teach Jack how to control impulses Learn about healthy defense mechanisms TREATMENT PLAN Refer to a psychiatrist for long term individual therapy Recommend medication for depression or antic-psychotic behavior Hypnotherapy Research Papers on Jack's Multiple Personalities in Fight ClubThe Fifth HorsemanThe Spring and AutumnPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyWhere Wild and West MeetThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceMind TravelArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Effects of Television Violence on Children19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided Era

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

John Battaglia Killed His Daughters for Revenge Against His Wife

John Battaglia Killed His Daughters for Revenge Against His Wife John David Battaglia shot and killed his two young daughters to get even with his ex-wife for reporting him to his  parole officer on a probation violation. A former Marine and CPA, John Battaglia was well liked by his friends and family. He appeared to be a good guy- fun spirited and charming. That was what MaryJean Pearle thought when she married him, but on their wedding night, Battaglias dark side began to emerge. At first,  he would fly off the handle and throw a few curse words and insults at his new wife. Pearle did not like it, but she put up with it  because they shared more good times together than bad. The following year  their first daughter, Faith, was born and then Liberty, three years later. Now with a family to consider, Pearle tried even harder to make the marriage work. An Idyllic Life With Hidden Secrets Living in an upscale neighborhood in Dallas, the small family seemed to have an idyllic life. But inside the home, Battaglias violent episodes began happening more often. He verbally abused Pearle, screaming obscenities at her and calling her vile names.   As time went on, the verbal attacks lasted longer and in an effort to keep her family together, Pearle endured it. The girls adored their dad, who had always been a gentle and loving father to them, even though his temper tantrums that he unleashed on Pearle continued to increase. Then one night, his anger switched from verbally attacking Pearle to going after her physically. She was able to get away and call 911. Battaglia was placed on probation and although he was allowed to see the girls, he was not allowed to enter their home. The separation gave Pearle a chance to think and it did not take long for her to realize that after seven years of abuse and having her children exposed to a lot of it, that it was time to file for a divorce. Christmas 1999 On Christmas day in 1999, Pearle allowed Battaglia to come into the home so he could visit with the girls. The visit ended in the two of them arguing and Battaglia violently attacking Pearle. He beat her with full force on the back of her head as she tried to protect herself from the blows. Battaglia was arrested and charged with assault. He was put on two years probation and was forbidden to have contact with Pearle. He could also not visit his daughters for 30 days. When the 30 days ended, normal weekly visitation started back up and so did the verbal assaults toward his ex-wife. Rage and Resentment The divorce came through the following August, but that did not deter Battaglia from leaving obscene and often threatening messages on his ex-wifes phone. As the threats progressed, Pearle became more fearful that one day her ex-husband might really act on what he was saying, but the thought that he would ever hurt the girls did not enter her mind. Visitation between the girls and their father continued. After a particularly frightening call from Battaglia in April 2001, Pearle decided it was time to get help. She contacted her ex-husbands probation officer and reported that he had been making threatening calls, which was a violation of his parole.   A few weeks later, on May 2, Battaglia found out that his parole had been revoked and that he was probably going to be arrested for the calls that he made to his ex-wife and for testing positive for marijuana.  He was assured by a police officer that the warrant would not be executed in front of his children and that he could make arrangements with his lawyer to peacefully turn himself in. He was scheduled to have the girls over for dinner that same night and Pearle,  not knowing that Battaglia had any knowledge that she had reported him to his parole officer, dropped off the girls with him at the normal meeting place. A Daughters Cry Later that evening, Pearle received a message from one of her daughters. When she returned the call, Battaglia put the call on speakerphone, and told his daughter Faith to ask her mother, Why do you want Daddy to go to jail? Then Pearle heard her daughter screaming, No, Daddy, please dont, dont do it. Gunshots  followed the childs cry and then Battaglia screamed, Merry (profanity) Christmas, then there were more gunshots. Mary Jean Pearle hung up the phone and frantically called 911. After shooting 9-year-old Faith three times and 6-year-old Liberty five times Battaglia went to his office where he left one more message, but this time to his dead daughters. Goodnight my little babies, he said. I hope youre resting in a different place. I love you, and I wish that you had nothing to do with your mother. She was evil and vicious and stupid. I love you dearly. Then he met up with a girlfriend and went to a bar and then to a tattoo shop and had two red roses tattooed on his left arm in honor of his daughters that he had just murdered. Battaglia was arrested as he left the tattoo shop at 2 a.m. It took four officers to restrain and handcuff him. Officers took a fully loaded revolver from Battaglias truck after his arrest. Inside his apartment, police found several firearms and the automatic pistol used in the shootings laying on the kitchen floor. Autopsy Faith had three gunshot wounds, including a shot to her back which severed her spinal cord and ruptured her aorta, a contact shot to the back of her head which exited her forehead, and a shot to her shoulder. Either of the first two shots would have been rapidly fatal. Six-year-old Liberty had four gunshot wounds and a graze wound to the top of her head. One shot entered her back, severed her spinal cord, went through a lung, and lodged in her chest. After losing about one-third of her blood, she received a contact shot to her head which passed through her brain, exited her face, and was immediately fatal. A History of Abuse is Revealed In less than 20 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Battaglia guilty of murder.   During the  punishment phase of the  trial, Battaglias first wife,  Michelle Gheddi, testified about the abuse she had suffered during their marriage that lasted from 1985 to 1987, and then after their divorce. Twice  Battaglia was physically violent toward Gheddis son from a previous marriage. Once when Ms. Gheddi was traveling with  Battaglia  in the car, he became angry at some other motorists and tried to reach for a gun he had in the car. They separated after an incident in which Battaglia struck Gheddi while she was holding their daughter Kristy, causing her to drop the child. After the separation, Battaglia stalked Gheddi,  watched her through the windows of her home, followed her in his car and somehow managed to tap her phone line.  He called Gheddis employers and creditors and made false statements about her. He threatened to kill himself and her, and once described to her in detail how he planned to cut her up and kill her with a knife. One night Gheddi woke up sometime after midnight to find her estranged husband standing over her bed and holding her shoulders down. He wanted to have sex, but she refused. Later she filed a police report about the incident. In January of 1987, Battaglia spent several days in jail after throwing a rock at Gheddi through her car window. After his release, things seemed to improve, but for only for a few months. Gheddi again filed charges against Battaglia after two more violent episodes.  Battaglia begged her to drop the charges, but she refused. Later that day, he approached Gheddi outside of her sons school. Smiling as he came toward her, he told her, If Im going back to jail, Im going to make it worth my while. He then beat Gheddi until she lost consciousness, breaking her nose and dislocating her jaw. After she got out of the hospital, he threatened to do the same to her son, so she moved to Louisiana At noon on the day that Faith and Liberty were killed,  Battaglia left a message on Gheddis  answering machine saying that maybe Pearl should lose her kids. He left another message later that evening for Kristy, telling her that he was sending her money for college and to use it wisely. Psychiatric Testimony Four forensic psychiatrists testified about  Battaglias mental state when he murdered his children.  They all agreed that Battaglia suffered from bipolar disorder, and all but one of the doctors thought that with the proper medication and under a controlled environment, he was a low risk for future criminal violence. All of the doctors testified that Battaglia knew what he was doing when he murdered his daughters. Death Sentence On May 1, 2002, after deliberating for close to seven hours, the jury agreed with the prosecutors who felt that the murders were a result of Battaglia seeking revenge because of his ex-wifes actions and that he could pose a possible threat in the future.  Battaglia, who was 46 years old at the time, was sentenced to death  by lethal injection. Best Little Friends Referring to his daughters as his best little friends, Battaglia told The Dallas Morning News that he did not feel like he had killed his daughters and that he was, a little bit in the blank about what happened. During the interview Battaglia showed no remorse for murdering his daughters,  instead placing the blame for his situation on his ex-wife, the prosecutor, the judge and the news media. He said that  Pearle was putting a lot of financial pressure on him and that after the divorce he had to work two jobs to keep up with his obligations.   On the night that he shot and killed his daughters, he said that Faith had told him that  Pearle was trying to have him arrested. Stressed out, exhausted, angered and wanting  Pearle to suffer, he did the one thing he knew would hurt her the most. He killed the children, although he says he has little memory of the actual event. Execution Halted Hours Before Battaglia was Scheduled to Die John Battaglia,  age 60,  was scheduled for lethal injection on Wednesday, March 30, 2016, for the revenge killing of his two young daughters, but the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals  put a halt to it. The court agreed with Battaglias attorney that he has a right to claim that he is too mentally incompetent and delusional to be executed investigated. Battaglia was eventually executed by lethal injection on Feb. 1, 2018, in the  Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, Texas.