Significance of cultural beliefs in presentation of psychiatric illness: a case report of selective mutism in a man from Nepal.

A 22-year-old active duty E1 Nepalese male who recently emigrated from Nepal suddenly exhibited strange behaviors and mutism during Advanced Individual Training. After receiving care from a hospital near his unit, he was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatry for further...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Military Medicine Vol. 172; no. 11; pp. 1213 - 1217
Autores principales: Babikian S, Emerson L, Wynn GH, Babikian, Sarkis, Emerson, Lyndal, Wynn, Gary H
Formato: case study Journal Article
Publicado: Oxford University Press / USA Nov2007
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:A 22-year-old active duty E1 Nepalese male who recently emigrated from Nepal suddenly exhibited strange behaviors and mutism during Advanced Individual Training. After receiving care from a hospital near his unit, he was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatry for further evaluation and treatment. Although he was admitted with a diagnosis of psychosis not otherwise specified (NOS), after consideration of cultural factors and by ruling out concurrent thought disorder, a diagnosis of selective mutism was made. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of selective mutism in a soldier. This case serves as a reminder of the need for cultural awareness during psychological evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients.