Marvel News

News

Marvel Comics News

When it comes to mental illness,...

 
Psych Ward: Harry Osborn
 
Psych Ward: Harry Osborn
When it comes to mental illness, like father, like son…

Posted: 2008-11-24    Updated: 2008-12-01 10:50:35


   

 
Harry Osborn is an adult male of slim build. He presents as casually arrogant and disinterested, an appearance that breaks down rather quickly once the client begins to talk with the writer. His manner of speaking indicates a high level of education and a strongly upper class lifestyle. However, when such things are mentioned, it is clear the client is not entirely comfortable with the manner in which he grew up, oft-mentioning his best friend Peter Parker's childhood as an example of a "happy one." Osborn currently owns and runs a small but popular café called the Coffee Bean and has become very involved in raising money for his current girlfriend's father's run for mayor. He has been absent from therapy for an extended period of time (he cannot remember specifically for long or why he stopped).

The client has a history of drug use dating back to his adolescence, resulting in two

separate incidents of overdose. At this time, Osborn claims to have been sober for some time and that while he does not attend regular NA meetings, he does maintain contact with a sponsor that he can trust and has had no desire to use in the past year or more.

Much like his father, Norman Osborn, the client has, at times, displayed signs of reactive schizophrenia and amnesia. This was particularly the case when the client assumed his father's alter ego and became the second Green Goblin. Currently, the client has no recollection of being the Goblin, although he is aware that his father was. Osborn also currently displays none of the positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia, lending further credence to the idea that it was a reactive episode brought by prior heavy drug use and the ingestion of an experimental substance known as the Goblin formula.

Also like his father, the client has, from time to time, displayed characteristics of bipolar disorder, such as periods of dark depression and self loathing swinging into periods of extreme risk-taking behavior and dangerous choices like drug use or recreational super villainy. At this time, these symptoms also seem to be dormant.

Perhaps stemming from his erratic behavior, the client has been married several times unsuccessfully. This is worthy of note because it indicates a difficulty in maintaining relationships and his son from one marriage, with Liz Allen, is a source of great guilt and concern for Harry as he does not have steady contact with Normie and is

concerned that the son will follow in his father's (and grandfather's) footsteps and develop a mental illness.

The client tends to be cautious, but open during session. He answers questions thoughtfully and rarely attempts to evade or shut down, regardless of topic. Spider-Man, an apparent hot button issue for Osborn previously, elicits minor annoyance and agitation now, but nothing to raise any red flags. However, given his memories lapses, the client's self-reporting abilities are problematic. While he seems genuine it is possible that he is "faking" memory loss to avoid difficult subject matter. Additionally, amnesia is rarely permanent, which means that even if he is being honest about his memory loss, it is highly likely he will, at some point, recall much of what he can no longer access.

Given the claims of amnesia, coupled with prior drug use and the physical injuries experienced by the client during his time as Green Goblin, the writer's first recommendation is that he undergoes a full body of tests for possible traumatic brain injury. The client should also be evaluated for bipolar disorder.

Until these tests can be performed, the writer will not be referring the client to a psychiatrist to establish a pharmalogical routine, but has informed Osborn that it might be a possibility at some point.

The writer has also suggested to Osborn that he may want to attend interpersonal effectiveness training to address some of his difficulties in long term romantic relationships. Additionally, the client may want to enroll he and his son in an organized father-son program that will give them structured time to spend together to strengthen their bond. The client has been discouraged from attempting any such contact with his father as the elder Osborn seems to be both a source of great stress and a trigger to the client and is very lax about his own mental health routine.

The writer's biggest concern at this time is the resurfacing of lost memories, as most of them are quite unpleasant and will force the client to consider some of his own very negative activities. As such, the client has been encourage to contact staff at any time he experiences the return of negative memories so he can be coached on his skills during the moment and be returned to psychological equilibrium.

AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN
#581 cover by
Mike McKone




Harry Osborn's next appointment will be on December 17 with Doctors Dan Slott and Mike McKone. Please look for details in file AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #581.

Tim Stevens is a Mental Health Supervisor currently pursuing his Psy D who has experience in dealing with individuals with schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Check out the official Marvel Shop for everything Spider-Man!


 
Reader Comments:
   

 
Cause he was dead! :lol: Going have to wait and see what the "real" reason is...
Posted By: Nova#1
 
Exactly! He wasn't "absent", he was . I loved the dynamic of Norman & Harry's relationship with each other and with Peter. It was very dramatic. But resurrecting the Osborns only to rehash...
Posted By: johnnysword
 

 

 

Green Goblin (Norman Osborn)
Bio | Wallpaper | Other Stories | Movies featuring Green Goblin (Norman Osborn): Spider-Man 3 Spider-Man (2002)




blogs
videos
rss feeds
Take 10 Video Countdown: Top Teams of 2008
With 2008 in the books, Marvel.com's secret cabal presents hte Take 10 Video Countdown: Top Teams of 2008.
 
Marvel Hotline: Punisher #1
PUNISHER Writer Rick Remender launches Frank Castle headfirst into hunting the most dangerous men in the Marvel Universe, starting with Norman Osborn!
 
The Weekly Watcher: January 2, 2009
Alexa rings in the New Year with greetings for Marvel fans the world over and the latest comics!
 
Marvel Hotline: Punisher War Zone
Marvel editor Axel Alonso tells you why PUNISHER WAR ZONE is Frank Castle at his best!
 
Hulk vs. Trailer
Hulk takes on Asgardians, mutants, heroes and villains in the titanic "Hulk Vs." DVD. Watch this extended preview at both of the disc's features: Hulk vs. Thor and Hulk vs. Wolverine.
 
The Weekly Watcher: December 24, 2008
In this year's last Weekly Watcher Alexa says goodbye with a special extended edition of This Week's Stack!
 
Hulk Vs. Thor Clip 1
Hulk comes face to fa--well, face to hammer when he goes up against the Mighty Thor in this awesome "Hulk Vs. Thor" clip.
 
Hulk Vs. Thor Clip 2
Thor and Loki take a trip to Hel, while Hulk battles a pair of angry Frost Giants in this exciting new "Hulk Vs. Thor" clip!
 
Hulk Vs. Wolverine: Deadpool Featurette
Nolan North, the voice of Deadpool in "Hulk Vs. Wolverine" sounds off on the Merc With a Mouth and reveals how similar he is to Wade Wilson in this special behind-the-scenes featurette.
 
Hulk Vs. Wolverine Clip 1
It's Hulk vs. Wolverine in this knock-down, drag-out brawl. Be warned: this fight gets bloody.
 
Marvel Hotline: What If? Secret Wars
Writer Karl Bollers rings up the Marvel Hotline to chat about his latest Marvel adventure, WHAT IF? SECRET WARS.
 
The Weekly Watcher: December 19, 2008
Alexa gears up for the holidays with a new "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" trailer, a look at the comics of March 2009, a little Fall Out Boy action, the Weekly Watcher World Premiere of DEADPOOL #6 and more!
 
War of Kings Trailer
In the aftermath of SECRET INVASION, Black Bolt & the Inhumans embark on a mission to hunt down the remnants of the Skrull Empire—but soon they'll be drawn into an intergalactic battle like never before! Get a sneak peek right here!
 
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer
Wolverine takes on Sabretooth, Deadpool, the Blob, helicopters and more in the first action-packed trailer to the May 2009 blockbuster!
 
Marvel Hotline: X-Men: Kingbreaker #1
X-MEN: KINGBREAKER #1 writer Christopher Yost calls into Marvel Hotline to discuss his blockbuster cosmic X-Men limited series.
 
The Weekly Watcher: December 12, 2008
Alexa Mendez brings the awesome this week with a "Hulk Vs." trailer, the new Young Guns lineup, a sneak peek at ASTONISHING TALES and the Weekly Watcher World Premiere of X MEN: NOIR #2!
 
Dark Reign Trailer
Dark Reign has begun! The Skrull invasion has been thwarted, but a new darkness spreads across the world, led by Norman Osborn. Get a taste of what Dark Reign holds in store for the Marvel Universe right here.
 
Marvel Hotline: Wonderful Wizard of Oz #1
Artist Skottie Young brings a little magic to Marvel Hotline when he calls to talk about THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #1!
 
The Weekly Watcher: December 5, 2008
Alexa's still pumped after Secret Invasion's conclusion this week, and the excitement doesn't stop there, with "Punisher: War Zone" hitting theaters this weekend, new exclusive digicomics and What If? specials. Plus the Weekly Watcher World Premiere of ULTIMATUM #2!
 
Brian Michael Bendis Talks '09 and More
The superstar writer teases what the new year will bring for the Avengers, Ultimate Spider-Man and more!