Sociology of Mental Disorder Cases - Paper Example

This paper presents two cases of two women who seem to be having some challenges in their social life. The first case is the case of Helen, who is a 32-year-old woman who is an African American in origin. She has been caught and brought to the hospital by police with allegations that she was causing trouble in the restaurant and bar.

Question 4.1.1

In line with the intake information, one can diagnose Helen with Schizophrenia psychiatric disorder. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that tends to influence how one thinks, feels and behaves, (Cockerham, 2016). Generally, people who suffer from schizophrenia just like Helen may seem to have lost touch with reality. Schizophrenia symptoms can be very disabling.

Question 4.1.2

Even though patients who suffer from schizophrenia least show any sign of violence, a prolonged disorder may cause Helen to become violent when suffering from the acute symptoms of psychosis due to the influence of the hallucinations as well as delusions on their thinking, a condition that can pose more risks to her.

Question 4.1.3

In regard to the social support system, it would be appropriate to determine Helens social support system in terms of how her family members accord her support and meeting her needs. Even though Helen previously indicated that she gets support from her sister, whom she had left the child with, it is important to seek to know other social support systems she was accorded.

Question 4.1.4

Helen despite suffering from schizophrenia disorder remains very social and friendly and non-violent. However, her weakness witnessed is her lousy life since she confesses that she is a lousy mother.

Question 4.1.5

The primary diagnosis of Helens condition is schizophrenia disorder.

Question 4.1.6

In the diagnoses of Helens schizophrenia disorder, the following specifiers were used.

Delusions Helen had feelings of high and low, rising and falling moods.

Hallucinations Helen indicated in the interview that she could see, feel and hear something that does not really exist.

Bizarre behavior which is a situation that varies from having problems with routine behaviors such as hygiene conditions.

Question 4.1.7

Schizophrenia disorder may be under the hormonal influence and it is mainly common among the women. Similarly, cultural factors influenced the diagnosis of schizophrenia by shaping rather than causing psychopathology.

4.2 CASE

The second case that is looked in this paper is about Connie Kellogg, who is a 36-year-old Caucasian, a mother of three children and a wonderful homemaker who is also pregnant with her fourth baby.

4.2.1 Diagnoses

From the interview conducted with Connie Kellogg, it clear that she has been suffering from bipolar disorder, (Papmeyer, et al. 2015). Her family had moved into the Southfork barely three months ago and that has caused her to experience such problems. A bipolar disorder causes periods of elevated mood and depression. Basically, the elevated mood is very important. It is recognized as mania or hypomania, and this depends whether its symptoms of psychosis are present.

4.2.2 Family Support

Since Connie hails from a strict and religious family, she is likely to get spiritual support at this time when she is hospitalized. However, she is afraid of her dads reaction upon learning of her condition. She singles out her dad to have influenced her life by lowering her self-esteem.

4.2.3 Social Support

At Southfork, Connie has less social support because she is new in the area. However, her social support is really necessary because it will provide to her an opportunity to talk, especially during the moment she feels low and fallen in the mood.

4.2.3 Primary Diagnosis

The primary diagnosis for Connies condition is a bipolar condition.

4.2.4 Specifiers

The bipolar condition that Connie suffers from has symptoms of a feeling of hopelessness, sadness, emptiness, irritability, inability to experience pleasure, fatigue or loss of energy, physical and mental sluggishness.

4.2.5 Psychosocial and Cultural Factors Impact on Bipolar Disorder

Due to the fact that there are differences in the way emotions are experienced and expressed in different cultures, it can easily be deduced that Bipolar Disorder diagnosis and management are influenced by both psychosocial and cultural factors.

References

Cockerham, W. C. (2016). Sociology of mental disorder. Taylor & Francis.Papmeyer, M., Giles, S., Sussmann, J. E., Kielty, S., Stewart, T., Lawrie, S. M., ... & McIntosh, A. M. (2015). Cortical thickness in individuals at high familial risk of mood disorders as they develop major depressive disorder. Biological psychiatry, 78(1), 58-66.