A Psychological Perspective Of 'What About Bob?'

A Psychological Perspective of “What About Bob?”
“What About Bob?”, directed by Frank Oz, is a 1991 comedy film starring Bill Murray as Bob Wiley who is a disturbed, yet harmless patient of psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin, portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss. From the beginning of the film, Bob exhibits odd behavior and demonstrates symptoms of irrational fears such as claustrophobia, germophobia, and especially agoraphobia. However, it isn’t until Bob seeks out the professional help of Dr. Leo Marvin—whom he was referred to after his former psychiatrist left the profession—that Bob’s myriad of disorders become entirely lucid. Upon Bob and Dr. Marvin’s unification as psychiatrist and patient, Bob immediately reveals the problems he believes he has, mentioning how he feels uncomfortable outside

We see these behaviors coincide with Bob’s actions, especially at the beginning of the movie where Bob is seen panicking as soon as he exits his miniscule apartment building, showing signs of anxiety around other individuals and cowering at the sight and sound of a passing bus. Moreover, Bob also displays immense amounts of hesitation when entering a bus setting out for Lake Winnipesaukee to see Dr. Marvin on vacation. It is here that Bob permits people to board the bus before him, struggles to make his way down the bus walkway, and asks a nearby passenger if he can be knocked unconscious after he finally sits down. Bob also exhibits clear signs of agoraphobia when invited to go sailing by Dr. Marvin’s daughter, Anna. At first Bob refuses her generous offer, but is convinced when his safety is assured by Anna and her friends tying him to the mast of the