Altered Perception: A Case Study on Substance-Induced Psychosis and Mental Health Needs

Running head: CASE STUDY
Altered perception
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CASE STUDY
Introduction- Psychotic episodes and/or disorders are found to arise under
circumstances when an individual reports experiences of meaningfully transformed or
inaccurate perception of the already existing reality. These distortions are found to be
triggered or caused by hallucinations or false perceptions, and delusions or false beliefs
(Fusar-Poli et al., 2016). Furthermore, an altered perception in a person is also influenced by
disorganised or disrupted thinking. Prevalence of psychotic disorders are greater for men,
when compared to women, regardless of their age group (Dealberto, 2013).
Reports from the Department of Health. (2011) states that the prevalence rates are
approximately 1.8 and 2.2 cases per 1,000 population for males and females, respectively.
Furthermore, the overall prevalence of psychotic illnesses is an estimated 4.5 cases per 1,000
population. This assignment will elaborate on a case study of Tom, a teenager, residing in a
remote area. The person is a school drop-out and has a past history of interrupted
employment. Although he began working as a mechanic, he reported hearing voices that
demeaned and stigmatised him. These symptoms were also concomitant with the fear of his
supervisor implanting cameras to monitor and rebuke him for some mistakes. The signs lead
to gradual agitation, followed by quitting from the job on grounds of being constantly abused
and watched by cameras. The essay will illustrate the mental condition of the client and will
also respond to his mental health needs.
Mental health and mental illness- Mental health encompasses the psychological,
emotional, and social wellbeing of all people. It creates a direct impact on the ways by which
people think, act and feel about themselves and the surroundings (Meyer, 2013). It also
facilitates the determination of strategies and approaches to relate to others, handle stress, and
make choices. In other words, mental health is considered imperative at every phase of life,
beginning from infantile stage, adolescence, till adulthood. Over the course of their lives,
most people experience mental health difficulties that create a major influence on the

2CASE STUDY
behaviour, mood and thinking capabilities. Caplan, (2013) affirmed that some of the common
factors that are responsible for the onset of mental health problems are namely, (i) biological
factors, (ii) life experiences, and (iii) family history. In other words, mental health does not
only mean the non-appearance of any mental or behavioural complaint, but comprises of a
phase where a person has attained a reasonable integration of the instinctive drives that are
tolerable to both oneself and the communal setting, besides helping in the establishment of an
appropriate equilibrium of work, love, and leisure pursuits (Hunt et al., 2013).
Thus, a person having sound mental health is expected to successfully perform all
mental functions, which in turn result in fulfilling relationships, productive activities, and
ability to cope up with the adverse situations. On the other hand, mental illness, commonly
referred to as psychiatric disorders are responsible for causing prominent distress and an
impairment in the normal functioning of an affected person. Such features of mental illness
are expected to be relapsing, persistent, and remitting. Some of the common mental disorders
encompass depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, phobia, OCD, and panic
disorder (Vigo, Thornicroft & Atun, 2016). Reports published by the World Health
Organization states that as much as half of the entire global population is already affected
with mental illness, which creates a negative impact on the relationships, self-esteem, self-
confidence and ability to carry out daily activities (WHO, 2018).
Mental health and physical health- A strong difference has often been made between
the 'mind' and the 'body'. Nonetheless, Halfon, Larson and Slusser (2013) suggested that there
are manifold relations between mental health and lasting physical conditions that
meaningfully influence the quality of life of people, creates a demand on publicly funded
health services and healthcare, and generates severe concerns. Evidences have established an
association between poor physical health and augmented risk of being affected by mental
health problems. Likewise, poor mental health can negatively impact on physical health,

3CASE STUDY
leading to an increased risk of some conditions (Herrenkohl et al., 2013). Individuals
suffering from depression have reported poor health status, and self-perceived health, in
comparison to other people without any mental health problems.
The combination of depression and heart disease have been found to reduce social
interaction, when compared to presence of either condition alone (Elderon & Whooley,
2013). Physical ailments have been found to complicate the evaluation and treatment of
mental illnesses by mimicking or masking its signs and symptoms. Likewise, individuals
suffering from chronic physical illness display an increased likelihood of suffering from
psychological distress, when compared to healthy people. Additionally, feelings and thoughts
that are generated in the mind exerts a control over the secretion of hormones from the
endocrine glands, which in turn controls the physical health of a person (Townsend &
Morgan, 2017). Similarly, the white-coat syndrome also connects the dots between mental
and physical health. In this condition the blood pressure of a person increases once they enter
a doctor’s chambers and leads to anxiety, which gradually lowers on leaving the particular
setting.
Personal recovery- Recovery in mental health, does not necessarily refer to the
procedure of comprehensive retrieval from a mental health disorder, in the method that the
affected person might recuperate from the prevailing physical health problem. The perception
of recovery for several people comprises of gaining a control over their lives, notwithstanding
experiences of a mental health problem (Slade et al., 2014). Health care professionals
employed in the mental health area often mention the 'recovery model' for describing the
different ways of human thinking. Implementing recovery from mental illness into an action
refers to converging care on facilitating recovery of the person and constructing the pliability
of individuals diagnosed with mental health problems, merely not managing or treating their
symptoms. According to Solli, Rolvsjord and Borg (2013) recovery of Tom from his altered