Historic and Cross-Cultural Perspectives of Psychopathology: A Case Study of Major Depressive Disorder and Methamphetamine Use

This article discusses the historic and cross-cultural perspectives of psychopathology through a case study of a patient with major depressive disorder and methamphetamine use. It explores the impact of cultural factors on psychopathology and the diagnostic impression and treatment plan for the patient. The article also highlights the importance of clinician evaluation of patient cultural background and identity in ensuring the impact of treatment is understood.

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PATHOPSYCHOLOGY COUNSELLING

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Historic and cross-cultural perspectives of psychopathology
Cultural perspectives are linked to behavioral norms which utilizes the societal
construct of ascertain identity. Various variables are included in this mix which includes
language, traditions, moral values, gender and socio-economic values. Evaluation of cultural
aspects of psychiatric diagnosis is essential in diagnosing psychosis. Clinician evaluation of
patient cultural background and identity are crucial in ensuring impact of treatment is
understood. Cultural factors can impact significantly psychopathology and lead to violent
behavior. Further it can lead to expression of higher and lower levels psychosis symptoms,
(Rudes & Guterman, 2007). With patient Tina, the cultural factors have reflected on the
themes of historical periods which the episodes occurred, they are decisive elements in the
treatment phases.
Diagnostic impression
From the assessment of DSM diagnostic criteria, patient Tina portrays diagnostic
impressions of combined used of methamphetamine's drug use and major depressive disorder
occasioned with the falling apart from his boyfriends. Tin portrays depressive moods,
insomnia and recurrent thoughts of various activities which don’t exist. The patient is
experiencing recurrent stimulant use which has caused failure to fulfill major role and
obligations, she is no longer participating in various social events due to the drug use, the
methamphetamine's drug has been used for a while which causes more levels of recurrent
interpersonal problems linked to her relationship status.
Substantiating diagnostic impression
In elaborating on the diagnostic impression from the patient, the patient exhibits the
following diagnostic symptoms which reflect major depressive disorder, DSM (APA, 2013,
pp 161-162). The patient is expressing prevalent disorder mood, diminished levels of
pleasure, signs of insomnia, psychomotor agitation through recurrent thoughts, fatigue and
feeling of worthlessness. Further on DSM criteria, (APA, 2013, pp 561-562), the patient
exhibits prevalent use of drug abuse which has affected his thinking process. The patient is
taking excessive use of methamphetamine's drug, recurrent drug use despite the deteriorating
social and interpersonal problems and drug tolerance a indicated with the continuous in the
recent months.
Historic misconceptions of psychopathology
Psychosis and mental diseases often depend on the constructs of social agents which
specify the social and historical context, in relation to epistemological and ontological
framework which characters the behaviors used to describe mental disorder symptoms. When

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objects of psychiatry that is mental symptom and disorders are often results of social
contexture and philosophical perspectives which are rooted in various time periods needs to
be assessed as elements of treatments, (Angst , 2007). Cultural elements associated with this
patient could significantly impact treatment in that acceptance of treatment mode could be
affected.
Diagnosis and general course of treatment
Using DSM-MD model the patient is suffering with major depressive disorder and
Schizophrenic symptoms. Appropriate treatment plan for the patient is to offer psychotherapy
treatment from a trained professional. Psychotherapy treatments explore avenue of thoughts,
feelings and behavioral aspects of the patient, (Andreasen, 2006). Medication plan is suited
for the patient to reduce the depressive state of methamphetamine's drug. Further
compounding the above treatment there is need to offer self help support for the patient to
come through the cultural thinking and the social thinking staging the denial stage and accept
treatment, further to enhance this treatment peer support is crucial for the patient so as to
reduce the social isolation state, (Cunnigham et al, 2009).
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
Andreasen, N. C. (2006). DSM and the death of phenomenology in America: an example of
unintended consequences. Schizophrenia bulletin, 33(1), 108-112.
Angst, J. (2007). Psychiatric diagnoses: the weak component of modern research. World
Psychiatry, 6(2), 94.
Cunningham‐Williams, R. M., Gattis, M. N., Dore, P. M., Shi, P., & Spitznagel, E. L. (2009).
Towards DSM‐V: considering other withdrawal‐like symptoms of pathological
gambling disorder. International journal of methods in psychiatric research, 18(1), 13-
22.
Rudes, J., & Guterman, J. T. (2007). The value of social constructionism for the counseling
profession: A reply to Hansen. Journal of Counseling & Development, 85(4), 387-392.