Introduction
The state of one’s mental health is an essential and fundamental component of overall health. People are said to be in a state of well-being when they can realize their capabilities, deal with the stresses of everyday life, work productively, and make positive contributions to society (Danneel et al., 2019). The case study focuses on a man in his 50s who has been divorced and has three children who are now adults. A general practitioner who treated Reg at a health facility he frequented observed that the patient appeared to be struggling with mental health disorders. Due to Reg’s inability to find work and continue his previous lifestyle, his mental health appears to have been impacted by mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. When asked how he is handling everything that life throws at him, Reg admits that he is experiencing a state of emotional overload. Aside from that, Reg’s mental health is a cause for concern because he is linked to social exclusion, failure to apply for more new jobs and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Reg gives the impression that he is depressed because he has trouble sleeping and needs to drink alcohol every night before bed. Aside from that, the depressive nature of his mental health status is visible through changes in appetite and a lack of grooming for himself. Despite his former status as a fitness expert, he has a scruffy appearance. Furthermore, the man’s depressive state gives him a strong desire to isolate himself from others. Although his friends are willing to stand by him and support him, he refuses to associate with them. He avoids parties because he fears his friends will mock him because of his social standing. He does not want other people to get involved in his life because he is lonely at home and does not want their attention.
In addition, Reg frequently finds himself in a state of emotional overwhelm due to his intense feelings, which he struggles to control. For example, although his children are willing to assist him, he is under the impression that they are only interested in their inheritance. He places the blame for his joblessness on everyone else and has given up hope of finding new employment because he is afraid of being rejected. Negative feelings flood him, and as a result, Reg has difficulty taking care of himself. He forgets to eat and has trouble falling asleep.
Predisposing, Precipitating, Perpetuating and Protective Factors
Depression, emotional overwhelm, and high anticipatory distress are the predisposing factors relevant to Reg’s case. Due to the above circumstances, he is at an elevated risk of developing a problem resulting from his temperament combined with his life experiences. He experiences feelings of exhaustion and isolation. In addition to this, he has a difficult time interacting with other people, and he does not want to go out. The precipitating factors that triggered his current mental health issues may be linked to the fact that he lost his job as a senior member at his place of employment and was unable to secure another job, even though he submitted numerous applications for jobs (Furukawa et al., 2021). One more component is the modification of his social status, which went from that of a respected man to that of an average person.
In the case of Reg, factors such as unpredictable sleep-wake patterns, interpersonal trauma, and depression are all factors that contribute to the condition’s persistence. He enjoyed the finer things in life, such as having a lovely home in a pleasant neighborhood, working out for at least an hour every day, and exercising daily. All of this, however, shifted after he was laid off from his job. Reg maintains a cordial relationship with his ex-wife, who is consistently concerned about his state of health and well-being, which is one of the protective factors relevant to Reg. Because of his tendency toward perfection and his firm belief in his abilities, he can avoid associating with his friends who still have successful jobs, thereby shielding himself from the ridicule that could be directed at him by insensitive friends.
Initial Treatment Options
Since managing depression is difficult, a person’s reserves of energy, optimism, and motivation to take steps that might improve their condition quickly deplete. Reg’s situation is best addressed through introspection and proactive measures. Before figuring out how to get back in the driver’s seat, he must pinpoint what makes him feel helpless. Cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy are all common treatments for depression (Danneel et al., 2019). Reg should try to contact and stay in touch with his friends because blended approaches are commonly used today. Reg is a prime example of how depressed people prefer to isolate themselves. It can be challenging to stay in touch with family and friends.
On the other hand, Reg needs to seek assistance from responsible and concerned parties, such as his ex-wife. Reg’s emotional overload makes him feel as if he is being engulfed and overtaken by feelings over which he has no control. Regular exercise may be as effective as medication in treating depression. Exercise increases happy-feeling chemicals in the brain, like serotonin and endorphins, and promotes new neural growth in the same way that antidepressants do. Strong social networks help combat social isolation, a risk factor for depression. Maintain regular contact with loved ones and consider joining a course or a club. Volunteering is an excellent way to meet new people, give back to the community, and better themselves.
Ongoing relapse prevention and support strategies
When conducting in-depth evaluations of their patients, mental health professionals frequently use the bio-psychosocial model as a guide. Relapse prevention encourages patients to reflect on their own experiences and guides how to deal with overt and hidden factors that may lead to a relapse. Reg’s biopsychosocial cultural needs can be met through relapse prevention and support strategies that consider her lifestyle. Reg’s situation necessitates biopsychosocial-cultural requirements such as learning how to deal with life’s stresses after losing a job and addressing potentially harmful behaviors such as excessive drinking. Reg needs to dispel myths about alcohol and its effects and the notion that his children care more about their inheritance than their father’s health. He needs to look on the bright side to be motivated to look for work.
Conclusion
Reg can reduce the likelihood of relapse by implementing specific intervention strategies such as recognizing and coping with high-risk situations, eliminating the effects of myths, and cognitively restructuring his thinking. Reg expresses his desire to stop drinking because he is overwhelmed. Furthermore, therapy may be the most effective way to deal with upsetting events. Reg is concerned that his friends are mocking him when they offer to buy him a cigar and provide social support to help him recover, and this is an example of how it has the potential to address sociocultural factors such as stigma.
References
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