Case Study: White Australian Male
Purpose: Analyze and apply critical thinking skills in the psychopathology of mental health patients and provide treatment and health promotion while applying evidence-based research.
Scenario:
A 44-year-old white Australian man who was not religious was referred to outpatient psychiatric treatment. He had been playing with an Ouija board for two months when he started to believe that a spirit had entered his body through his rectum and was controlling him. He thought the spirit made him move and speak in a certain way.
He sought help from a local church, where he was told it was a psychiatric problem and that he was not really possessed. Two exorcisms at a local church failed to achieve any improvement.
Questions:
At all times, explain your answers.
1. Discuss the relationship between mental illness and religion.
2. Is this classified as psychopathology? Support your response using DSM5 criteria.
Submission Instructions:
• Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
Guide On Rating System
Vote
1. The relationship between mental illness and religion can be complex and multifaceted. On one hand, religion can provide comfort, support, and a sense of purpose to individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges. Religious beliefs and practices can offer a framework for understanding and coping with psychological distress, providing individuals with a sense of hope and belonging.
On the other hand, religion can also contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental illness. In some cases, religious beliefs can become rigid and dogmatic, leading to guilt, shame, and a sense of inadequacy in individuals who are unable to meet certain religious expectations. This can contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Furthermore, certain religious practices or beliefs may be associated with the development of specific mental health disorders. For example, religious cults or extremist ideologies can contribute to the development of delusions, paranoia, and thought disorders in vulnerable individuals. Similarly, excessive religious rituals or practices can contribute to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or other anxiety disorders.
In the case of the 44-year-old white Australian man, his belief that a spirit had entered his body and was controlling him is indicative of a possible delusional disorder or a psychotic disorder. It is important to note that this belief is not a common religious belief and is not reflective of mainstream religious practices. Therefore, it is more likely to be classified as a psychopathological symptom rather than a religious phenomenon.
2. According to the DSM-5 criteria, this case can be classified as a psychopathological symptom. The DSM-5 outlines specific criteria for diagnosing delusional disorder and psychotic disorders. The essential feature of delusional disorder is the presence of one or more delusions that last for at least one month. Delusions are defined as fixed beliefs that are not amenable to change despite evidence to the contrary.
In this case, the man's belief that a spirit had entered his body through his rectum and was controlling him fits the definition of a delusion. It is a fixed belief that is not based on evidence and is not consistent with reality. Furthermore, the fact that the man sought help from a local church and underwent exorcisms suggests that he was experiencing distress and impairment due to his belief, further supporting a psychiatric diagnosis.
It is important to note that the diagnosis of a mental illness does not negate or discount an individual's religious or spiritual beliefs. In this case, the man's belief that he was possessed by a spirit is not a commonly recognized religious belief and is not representative of the beliefs held by the larger religious community. Therefore, it is appropriate to classify this case as psychopathology and provide treatment based on evidence-based research rather than religious interventions.
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