In Nathaniel Hawthorne's story "The Birthmark" you find a couple fairly prevalent disorders. Although psychology was as of yet not existence, Hawthorne describes them quite well. Alymer suffered from an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, while his actions caused Georgiana to develop a body dysmorphic disorder. Both of which attributed to the eventual demise of Georgiana.
Alymer is an older scientist who marries a beautiful woman much younger then himself. Even though Alymer finds his young bride beautiful, he still says that she is "marked." Upon Georgiana's left cheek is a birthmark. The birthmark is small, red, and in the shape of a hand. Alymer believes that this mark takes away from her beauty; even though many other people, men and women alike, thought it to be charming; and those who did not, just "wished it away."
However, Alymer could not wish away Georgiana's birthmark. He even approached her about it being removed-
"Georgiana," said he, "has it never occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?"
"No, indeed," said she, smiling; but perceiving the seriousness of his manner, she blushed deeply.
Melospiza georgiana, foot_2013-03-13-14.53
Alexandria Carlisle as "Georgiana Vesey" (LOC)
Georgiana Lerner Concept Sketch" To tell you the truth it has been so often called a charm that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so."
Alymer was afflicted with an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. By definition obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is "A personality disorder characterized by a pervasive preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and interpersonal control [ . . . ]." Characteristics of this disorder include the following:
1) Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules.
2) Perfectionism.
3) Excessive devotion to work to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships.
4) Inability to discard worthless objects of no sentimental value.
5) Reluctance to delegate tasks or work with others unless everything is done their...