Case+Example

=__Case Scenario: Tom__=

Tom is a 19-year-old male admitted to the local general hospital psychiatric unit. He is the third child born to middle-class, first generation immigrant parents. His parents reported that Tom was similar to every other child while growing up. According to his parents, his developmental milestones were mostly age-appropriate, although compared with his older sisters, he was always quiet and somewhat of an introvert. At the age of 15 his family became aware that he was hanging around with a group of local youths and skipping school. His sisters informed his parents that the people with whom he was spending time were 'losers and stoners' who took advantage of Tom and made fun of him. By this time Tom was smoking marijuana regularly and perhaps using other drugs. When he was 17 Tom, who was now no longer attending school, became increasingly withdrawn and began spending all of his time in his room. His parents reported that he became increasingly preoccupied with spaceships and aliens. Recently, his parents became concerned because he was burning pieces of paper in his room, which he said would keep the aliens away. On admission to the hospital he reported that aliens had been taking thoughts out of his head and had been constantly occupying his room, whispering. (Regehr & Glancy, 2010, p. 121-122).