What are the primary aims of the first psychiatric interview?
How should the initial interview be organized?
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
The Primary Aims of the First Psychiatric Interview
The first psychiatric interview is a crucial step in understanding and evaluating the mental health of an individual. It serves as the foundation for building a therapeutic relationship between the patient and the psychiatrist. The primary aims of this initial interview are to gather important information, establish rapport, and formulate an accurate diagnosis.
Gathering Information
During the first psychiatric interview, the psychiatrist aims to gather comprehensive information about the patient’s current symptoms, past psychiatric history, medical history, family history, and psychosocial background. This data is essential for understanding the patient’s current mental state and determining an appropriate treatment plan.
The psychiatrist will explore the patient’s presenting problem, asking open-ended questions to encourage the patient to provide detailed information about their symptoms, thoughts, and feelings. The interview may cover topics such as sleep patterns, appetite changes, energy levels, concentration difficulties, suicidal thoughts, and any other relevant issues.
By gathering this information, the psychiatrist can gain insights into the nature and severity of the patient’s condition. It allows them to identify potential risk factors, underlying causes, and any co-existing medical conditions that may be contributing to the patient’s mental health concerns.
Establishing Rapport
Establishing rapport is a crucial aspect of the initial psychiatric interview. It involves creating a safe and supportive environment where the patient feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions. Building trust and empathy is essential for promoting open communication and ensuring an accurate assessment.
To establish rapport, the psychiatrist should demonstrate active listening skills, show genuine interest in the patient’s experiences, and validate their feelings. They should maintain a non-judgmental attitude and create a space where the patient feels heard and understood.
Additionally, it is important for the psychiatrist to explain the purpose of the interview, the confidentiality of the information shared, and the collaborative nature of the therapeutic process. This helps to alleviate any anxieties or concerns the patient may have and promotes a collaborative approach to treatment.
Formulating an Accurate Diagnosis
An accurate diagnosis is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan. Through careful assessment and evaluation during the first psychiatric interview, the psychiatrist aims to identify patterns of symptoms that align with specific psychiatric disorders.
By analyzing the gathered information alongside standardized diagnostic criteria, clinical judgment, and experience, the psychiatrist can arrive at a provisional diagnosis. This diagnosis serves as a guide for treatment planning and helps determine appropriate interventions such as medication management or psychotherapy.
The accuracy of the diagnosis relies heavily on gathering comprehensive information during the initial interview. Therefore, it is essential for psychiatrists to ask probing questions, explore relevant areas thoroughly, and consider multiple factors before formulating a diagnosis.
Organizing the Initial Interview
To ensure an organized and effective first psychiatric interview, psychiatrists typically follow a structured approach. Here are some guidelines for organizing the initial interview:
Establish a comfortable environment: Choose a quiet and private space that promotes confidentiality and minimizes distractions. Ensure that both the psychiatrist and patient are seated comfortably.
Introduce yourself: Begin by introducing yourself and explaining your role as a psychiatrist. This helps set clear expectations and establishes your professional authority.
Build rapport: Use active listening skills to show genuine interest in the patient’s concerns. Maintain eye contact, nod appropriately, and provide verbal or non-verbal cues to encourage further elaboration.
Gather comprehensive information: Start with open-ended questions to allow the patient to freely express their thoughts and feelings. Gradually move towards more specific questions related to their presenting problem, medical history, previous treatments, family background, and social support system. Take notes to ensure accurate documentation.
Assess symptom severity: Use standardized assessment tools or rating scales to evaluate the severity of specific symptoms. This helps in tracking progress over time and comparing results with established benchmarks.
Evaluate risk factors: Assess for any potential risk factors such as suicidal or homicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, or substance abuse issues. If necessary, consider involving other healthcare professionals or implementing safety plans.
Formulate a diagnosis: Utilize diagnostic manuals such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to guide your diagnostic process. Consider all relevant factors before arriving at a provisional diagnosis.
Discuss treatment options: Once a diagnosis is formulated, discuss potential treatment options with the patient. Collaborate with them to develop an individualized treatment plan that aligns with their goals, preferences, and resources.
