Abstract

Caregiver Perspective in a Mental Diagnosis of Hyperreligiosity

Author(s): Aminat Akintobi

Until the 20th century, religion was often seen from a negative perspective in the psychiatric treatment of mental illnesses. However, this has changed within the last fifty years to a more positive perspective, with psychiatrists overlapping religious beliefs of patients in psychiatry treatments. Family members are usually the primary caregivers of persons with mental health disorders. Caregiving for the mentally ill takes a physical as well as mental toll on the carer. Activities carried out by the caregiver include monitoring the administration of drugs; commuting the patient to and from hospital visits; the financial burden and many others. In a mental illness scenario, the caregiver bears the brunt of the behavioral pattern of the mentally ill patient, this includes giving emotional support to the ill family member. This study joins a body of research that documents the perspective of caregivers in the observation, diagnosis and treatment plan of mania hyperreligiosity. This study presents the case of a 55-year old middle aged female, who presented with a diagnosis of mania hyperreligiosity. Having carried out caregiving activities for the family member, the author concludes that the role of a caregiver include administration of medicines, observing and reporting improvement of the patient; observing and reporting side effect; and since this a behavioral defect illness, conversing with the patient to determine their mental status; and motivating the patient to undergo treatment. Following the importance of the caregiver role, the author document that it is important for psychiatrists to view caregivers as a resource rather than a medical care seeker. Psychiatry physicians will do well to involve the perspective and advice of the caregiver in care plans.