The Case of Marie
Monash University
The Case of Marie
Marie is a 40- year- old woman who is happily married and a university graduate; has two teenage children in their final years of school with major exams ahead of them; works outside the home as a lawyer and non-religious; and cannot understand why she is so fatigued, overworked, and generally burned out. In the past year, she has developed chronic tension headaches and a stomach ulcer. Marie discloses that she has attempted "to do it all perfectly" and has never considered asking for help from her family or friends, nor has she expressed her growing irritation and resentment over their lack of help and support. In the second session, the counselor asked Marie to close her eyes and recall what it was like growing up as a child in her house. Next, the counselor asked Marie to remember anything her mother or father told her not to do as a child or anything they said that was negative. Marie revealed that her mother always told her to do things as well as possible, preferably without any help. Marie told the counselor her mother was a perfectionist, an independent woman who never seemed to have any needs of her own and was always doing things for others. When the counselor asked Marie to recall what her father said or did, she stated that Dad always said, "Hold your tongue, don't get upset or angry with people even if they really make you mad." Marie described her father as a very outwardly calm person, who never showed his feelings. He died of heart disease at 50. The counselor helped Marie identify the typical "rules" she heard as a child and follows in her present life. Marie identified three:
"Don't ask for help or show needs or weaknesses," "Do everything as perfectly as possible," and "Don't get angry" Marie also told the counselor that she had decided in her life to "work as hard and as independently as possible", and to "keep all negative feelings to myself".
1. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Name: Marie
Age: 40
Sex: Female
Marital Status: Married
Education: University Graduate
Occupation: Lawyer
Religion: Non-religious
Children: Two teenage children in their final years of school.
Parents: Marie's father died of heart disease at the age of 50, and it would appear Marie's mother is still alive, given there's no mention of her passing.
Other Relevant Information: Marie is happily married, and both her children are facing major exams. For the past 12 months, she has experienced chronic tension headaches and a stomach ulcer. She is concerned about being 'fatigued, overworked and generally burned out'.
2. BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM
Based on the information gathered from Marie, it is apparent Marie holds extremely high personal standards which form the basis of her independence and "perfect" behaviors which she pursues despite the huge cost to her psychological, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Marie's concern about her current experiences of fatigue, overwork...
