Case Study 5: Mental Disorders

Case Study 5: Mental Disorders

Psychological turmoil results from biological, chemical, or organic triggers that affect the sobriety of the affected. However, the situation needs to be addressed to avoid the negated behaviors portrayed by the affected. Alteration of the sobriety leads to inclined decisions making which has led to several criminal cases. Mental disorder results from pressures, anxiety, fears, and worries that one has over something. If not controlled, the disorder can lead to permanent mental illness. The uncontrolled disorder has contributed to may criminal cases. The case study in this paper is of former ‘Miracle on Ice’ star Mark Pavelich who assaulted his friend after a routine of fishing.

Mental Illness and Disorders Compared

Mental disorders refer to the triggers that cause extreme psychological turmoil. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental disorders. Conversely, mental illness results from uncontrolled disorders. The illness affects the cognitive system of the patient and can lead to mood sways resulting in various recorded crime cases. Mental disorders can be triggered by old age while mental disorder depends on the environmental factors and the remedies provided. Most of the people with a mental disorder may have faced social isolation and various hardships posed by people around them.

On the other hand, mental illness can be caused by physical injuries or the presence of traumatic conditions (Peterson & Heinz, 2016). In the case of Pavelich, he used to be a hockey star, indicating he was mentally stable (Pam, 2019). However, in the course of his life, he encountered various traumas that may have affected his stability. As a result, when the two nurses examined him, they found him with post-traumatic stress disorder. Thus, the crime that Pavelich was being judged for was triggered by mental illness that resulted from a mental disorder.

Potential Stressors that Triggered the Involvement of Pavelich in Crime

The illness that Pavelich suffered was perceived to be either Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy due to the injuries that he sustained while in the NHL games. His disorder led to his inclined decision. As a result, the mere act of his friend leads to a violent reaction. Pavelich accused his friend of ‘spiking his beer’ (Pam, 2019). The victim sustained rib to break, kidney injuries, among others. Perhaps the condition of Pavelich was addressed earlier; tuning could have been done to avoid such cases (Mental health Foundation, 2015). Therefore, the triggers of the crime that Pavelich conducted were post-traumatic stress disorder from the current activities of games. Various therapies help the patient to overcome the traumatic stress to avoid the latter from altering the decision making of a person.

Remedies that Pavelich could have received to prevent the Criminal Act

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)

CPT entails a routine of activities that aim at tuning the cognitive system of a person. The session takes a few weeks, depending on the criticality of the situation. Pavelich sustained injuries that served as trauma to him. As a result, his cognitive system was altered by the condition (Dean, 2017). Therefore, his condition can be termed as mental illness and not disorder. The CPT remedy allows mutual talk between the patient and the care provider so that the care provider can understand the thoughts attached to fate. Through the conversation, the therapist helps the patient in reframing the content and perceiving the issue in a more positive way (Dean, 2017). Could have Pavelich attended such treatment the violent reaction he had to his friend could not have occurred. However, the respective authorities involved in sports activities have been condemned for failing to offer an appropriate remedy to the players who sustain injuries.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Physical exercises help in keeping the mind engaged, thus, reducing the escalation of the situation due to overthinking. The act of fishing, which Pavelich was involved in, could not be termed as a physical activity but a leisure one. Therefore, Pavelich had more time to reflect on his past, thus, escalating the conditions (Dean, 2017). Perhaps the team and club he was associated with followed up his condition after leaving the games through physical activities; such crime could have been prevented.

Medication

In case of a threat posed or some notable escalation in the condition of the patient, he or she should be prescribed to take some drugs (Peterson & Heinz, 2016). The crime that Pavelich conducted was not the only indication that he had bad tempers. Therefore, the people around him could have taken the responsible steps the moment they observe violence responses. Among the prescribed drugs are Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, and Venlafaxine. The medication helps in mitigating the response that a person has on various issues. Medication is prescribed depending on the level of illness, age, and other personal attributes to ensure that the treatment is effective.

Difference between Manic Depression, Functional, and Minor Mental Disorders

Functional mental disorder refers to the extreme condition of mental instability. The condition affects the behavior, response, and conducts of a person (Peterson & Heinz, 2016). Perhaps, Pavelich was at this particular level of mental illness. Some forces very much dictated his response. The minor mental disorder refers to chronic distress but with less impact on the cognitive capabilities of a person. An example is a neurosis which is characterized by obsessions and multiple phobias. Lastly, the manic depression refers to the mental crises that lead to mood sways; a person has an abnormal mood with high energy state (Peterson & Heinz, 2016). Mental illness may require cooperation from various groups, including the family and friends of the person. Most of the mentally ill people suffer from isolation, a situation that doubles the condition, and its effects.