Dr. Robin, an accomplished thoracic surgeon and father of three children, developed a psychiatric illness at the age of 45. Indeed, he experienced delusions, a characteristic that may be present in both psychotic illnesses or mood disorders with a psychotic feature. However, given that Dr. Robin did not display symptoms of mania or depression, his condition can’t be explained through a mood disorder. Thus, the doctor is suffering from a psychotic disorder; most likely schizophreniform or delusional disorder. To start off, Dr. Robin’s mental turmoil could be explained by schizophreniform disorder. Actually, the characteristic symptoms for this disorder are identical to both schizophrenia and brief psychotic disorder. However, the length of
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Robin’s mental illness could be justified by delusional disorder. According to the DSM, an individual with delusional disorder has to experience delusions for more than a month, as was Dr. Robin’s case. Moreover, there are a variety of subtypes within this psychotic disorder. Dr. Robin qualifies for the persecutory type since his delusions consistently associated him being conspired against and cheated on. Furthermore, it is common for patients with the persecutory type of delusional disorder to feel angry, resentful, and irritable, which would explain Dr. Robin’s frequent outbursts of rage. This characteristic would also give reason for the plots he devised during his hospitalization to attack those who had wronged him. Furthermore, the DSM states that patients diagnosed with the persecutory type of delusional disorder often attempt to pursue peace of mind through legal action, which would give reason for Dr. Robin’s legal counter-attack following his hospital privileges suspension and his habeas corpus appeal after his hospitalization. Subsequently, Dr. Robin’s capacity to build these strategic legal counter-attacks with ease display another common characteristic of delusional disorder defined in the DSM: the normality of their behaviour when their delusional beliefs are not being discussed or acted on. Moreover, similarly to schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorders have a rapid onset and may cause social, marital, or work issues, as Dr. Robin’s experienced. Finally, the average age of onset of delusional disorder is 40 years-old, which corresponds to Dr. Robin’s age
Robin’s mental illness could be justified by delusional disorder. According to the DSM, an individual with delusional disorder has to experience delusions for more than a month, as was Dr. Robin’s case. Moreover, there are a variety of subtypes within this psychotic disorder. Dr. Robin qualifies for the persecutory type since his delusions consistently associated him being conspired against and cheated on. Furthermore, it is common for patients with the persecutory type of delusional disorder to feel angry, resentful, and irritable, which would explain Dr. Robin’s frequent outbursts of rage. This characteristic would also give reason for the plots he devised during his hospitalization to attack those who had wronged him. Furthermore, the DSM states that patients diagnosed with the persecutory type of delusional disorder often attempt to pursue peace of mind through legal action, which would give reason for Dr. Robin’s legal counter-attack following his hospital privileges suspension and his habeas corpus appeal after his hospitalization. Subsequently, Dr. Robin’s capacity to build these strategic legal counter-attacks with ease display another common characteristic of delusional disorder defined in the DSM: the normality of their behaviour when their delusional beliefs are not being discussed or acted on. Moreover, similarly to schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorders have a rapid onset and may cause social, marital, or work issues, as Dr. Robin’s experienced. Finally, the average age of onset of delusional disorder is 40 years-old, which corresponds to Dr. Robin’s age