Jasmine Clark is a 18-year-old female who resides at home with her mother and father. She is a senior in high school and plans to attend the University of Nebraska next fall. This is her first psychiatric visit. She insists that she needs to go to the hospital because she is “mentally ill”. Her parents are with her at the pediatric office.
Chief Complaint: “I think I need help.”
Past Psychiatric History: No prior psychiatric treatment
Medical History: No acute or chronic medical conditions. Reports regular menstrual period. No history of sexual relationships. Urine toxicity negative and pregnancy test negative upon admission. No incidents of tic disorder.
This is an unfolding case study which we will be utilizing for this discussion.
Questions:
In your opinion, what is mental illness?
You are the nurse who will be interviewing the patient. What concepts do you need to consider before you prepare to go and speak with Jasmine? (Elaborate on at least 3)
Based on the nervous system, what assessment questions could illuminate a potential mental health disorder? (Elaborate on at least 3).
What information can be obtained from the parents
Give one example of an ego defense mechanism statement that Jasmine states during your interview. (You must pick a different defense mechanism than your peers)
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Case Study Analysis: Jasmine Clark
In this unfolding case study of Jasmine Clark, an 18-year-old female seeking psychiatric help, we will explore the complexities of mental illness, the considerations for conducting an effective interview, potential assessment questions, the importance of parental input, and an example of an ego defense mechanism.
Defining Mental Illness
Mental illness refers to a wide range of psychological or emotional conditions that affect an individual’s thinking, mood, behavior, and overall functioning. It encompasses disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Mental illness can be influenced by various factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, and neurobiological changes. Importantly, mental illness is not always visible; it can manifest as emotional distress, impaired social functioning, and a diminished ability to manage daily activities.
Concepts to Consider Before Interviewing Jasmine
As a nurse preparing to interview Jasmine, it is essential to consider several key concepts:
1. Empathy and Rapport Building: Establishing a trusting relationship with Jasmine is crucial. She has expressed feelings of needing help and may be feeling vulnerable. Approaching her with empathy allows for open communication and helps her feel safe to share her concerns.
2. Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding Jasmine’s background is vital for effective communication. Consideration of her family’s values, beliefs about mental illness, and cultural context can influence her willingness to engage in treatment. For instance, if her family holds stigma around mental health issues, this could affect how she expresses her feelings.
3. Developmental Context: At 18 years old, Jasmine is transitioning into adulthood. This developmental stage often comes with increased stressors such as academic pressure and life decisions (e.g., attending college). Acknowledging these factors can help frame her experiences within the context of typical adolescent challenges.
Assessment Questions to Illuminate Potential Mental Health Disorders
To assess for potential mental health disorders based on the nervous system and Jasmine’s presentation, the following questions could be useful:
1. Mood and Emotional State: “How have your mood and feelings changed over the past few weeks? Have you experienced any prolonged periods of sadness or irritability?” This question can help identify symptoms of mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
2. Sleep Patterns: “Can you describe your sleep habits? Are you having trouble sleeping, or do you find yourself sleeping too much?” Sleep disturbances are often associated with various mental health disorders and can provide insights into Jasmine’s emotional well-being.
3. Concentration and Decision-Making: “Have you noticed any difficulties with concentration or making decisions recently? Are there times when you feel overwhelmed by simple tasks?” Assessing cognitive functions can help identify possible anxiety disorders or depressive episodes.
Information That Can Be Obtained from the Parents
The parents can provide critical insights into Jasmine’s behavior and emotional state. Key information to obtain includes:
– Behavioral Changes: Parents can share any noticeable changes in Jasmine’s behavior or mood over time. For example, have they observed increased withdrawal from social activities or changes in her academic performance?
– Family History of Mental Illness: Understanding if there is a history of mental health issues within the family can provide context for Jasmine’s current struggles.
– Support Systems: Parents can provide information about the support systems available to Jasmine, including friendships, extracurricular activities, and home dynamics that may impact her mental health.
Example of an Ego Defense Mechanism Statement
An example of a defense mechanism Jasmine might use during the interview could be rationalization. She could say something like:
“I only think I need help because I’m stressed about school; it’s normal for everyone to feel overwhelmed before graduation.”
In this statement, Jasmine may be rationalizing her feelings by attributing them solely to external pressures instead of acknowledging deeper emotional struggles that might indicate a mental health disorder. This defense mechanism allows her to avoid confronting the possibility of a more significant issue.
In conclusion, the evaluation of Jasmine Clark must encompass a comprehensive understanding of mental illness, careful consideration during the interview process, relevant assessment inquiries, parental insights, and recognition of defense mechanisms. Each element plays an essential role in forming a holistic view of her mental health needs and guiding appropriate interventions.
