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: | Remember to answer these questions from your textbooks and NP guidelines. 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.
- You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. Your reply posts are worth 2 points (1 point per response.)
- All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible.
- Please post your initial response by 11:59 PM ET Thursday, and comment on the posts of two classmates by 11:59 PM ET Sunday.
- Late work policies, expectations regarding proper citations, acceptable means of responding to peer feedback, and other expectations are at the discretion of the instructor.
- You can expect feedback from the instructor within 48 to 72 hours from the Sunday due date.
Grading Rubric
Your assignment will be graded according to the grading rubric.
| Discussion Rubric | |||||
| Criteria | Ratings | Points | |||
| Identification of Main Issues, Problems, and Concepts | Distinguished – 4 points Post is substantively accurate. Identifies and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the issues, problems, and concepts surrounding the assignment. Provides exceptional and thought-provoking analysis that directly addresses details and/or examples of the main topic. |
Excellent – 3 points Post is mostly related to the topic. Demonstrates understanding of most of the issues, problems, and concepts surrounding the assignment. It provides some supporting details and/or examples. Analyses not as clear as they could be. |
Fair – 1-2 points Demonstrates limited understanding of most of the issues, problems, and concepts surrounding the assignment. No details and/or examples are given. |
Poor – 0 points Post is off-topic, incorrect and/or irrelevant to the issues, problems, and concepts surrounding the assignment. Analyses are not well organized or clear. |
4 points |
| APA Formatting Guidelines | Distinguished – 2 points The reference page contains at least the required current scholarly academic reference and text reference. Follows APA guidelines of components: double space, 12 pt. font, abstract, level headings, hanging indent, and in-text citations. |
Excellent – 1 point The reference page contains one current scholarly academic resource and text reference. Follows most APA guidelines of components: double space, 12 pt. font, abstract, level headings, hanging indent, and in-text citations. |
Fair – 0.5 points The reference page contains one current or outdated scholarly academic resource. Many errors of APA guidelines: double space, 12 pt. font, abstract, level headings, hanging indent, and in-text citations. |
Poor – 0 points The reference page contains no current scholarly academic resources, only internet web pages, or no reference page. Lack of APA guidelines for references provided or in-text citations. |
2 points |
| Writing Mechanics | Distinguished – 2 points Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed; spelling is correct. |
Excellent – 1 point Few grammatical errors, but sentences could be clearer and more precise. |
Fair – 0.5 points The paper contains a few grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. |
Poor – 0 points The paper contains numerous grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. |
2 points |
| Response to Posts of Peers | Distinguished – 2 points Constructively responded to two other posts and either extended, expanded, or provided a rebuttal to each. |
Fair – 1 point Constructively responded to one other post and either extended, expanded, or provided a rebuttal. |
Poor – 0 points Provided no response to a peer’s post.
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Title: The Relationship Between Mental Illness and Religion: A Case Study Analysis
Introduction: This case study focuses on a 44-year-old white Australian male who has been experiencing delusions related to religious beliefs and his mental health. He believed that a spirit entered his body through his rectum, controlling his movements and speech. After seeking help from a local church, he underwent two unsuccessful exorcisms. This discussion will explore the relationship between mental illness and religion and determine whether this case can be classified as psychopathology according to DSM-5 criteria.
- The Relationship Between Mental Illness and Religion: The relationship between mental illness and religion is complex and multifaceted. Religion and spirituality can have both positive and negative impacts on mental health, depending on various factors, including individual beliefs, religious practices, and cultural context.
Positive Aspects:
- Religion can provide a sense of meaning, purpose, and hope, which can be protective factors against mental health issues.
- Spiritual practices like meditation and prayer can reduce stress and promote psychological well-being.
- Supportive religious communities can offer social connections and a sense of belonging, which is beneficial for mental health.
Negative Aspects:
- In some cases, religious beliefs can lead to harmful behaviors, such as extreme asceticism, self-harm, or denial of medical treatment, which can exacerbate mental health problems.
- Religious guilt and fear of divine punishment can contribute to anxiety and depressive symptoms.
- Delusions and hallucinations with religious content may be indicative of underlying psychiatric conditions.
In the case of the white Australian male, his belief in the spirit entering his body through his rectum and controlling him is indicative of a delusional belief system. It is important to differentiate between religious beliefs and delusions, as the latter can be a symptom of a mental health disorder.
- Classification as Psychopathology Using DSM-5 Criteria: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), is a widely accepted tool for diagnosing mental health disorders. In this case, the individual’s symptoms align with the criteria for Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders.
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders include symptoms such as delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (false sensory perceptions). The individual in this case appears to have delusions of control, where he believes that a spirit is controlling his movements and speech. This is consistent with DSM-5 criteria for a psychotic disorder.
To provide a more specific diagnosis, further assessment and evaluation by a mental health professional are necessary. It is crucial to rule out other possible causes of psychosis, such as substance use or medical conditions.
Conclusion: The relationship between mental illness and religion can be intricate, and it is essential to approach each case with sensitivity and cultural competence. In this case study, the individual’s delusional beliefs related to religion are indicative of a psychotic disorder, aligning with DSM-5 criteria for Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders. Early intervention and appropriate treatment are crucial to address his mental health concerns and provide him with the necessary support. It is also important to respect his religious beliefs while addressing his psychiatric needs.