Ahmik grew up on a Native American reservation in Saskatchewan, Canada, but is attending a college in the United States that has a primarily Caucasian population. Because he wanted to get the whole college experience, he is living in a dormitory on campus. An unusually heavy snowstorm hits the campus and shuts it and everything around it down for several days. On the second day, Ahmik locks himself in his room and refuses to come out, because he is afraid he is becoming a monster and might eat his friends if the roads don't open up soon so they can get more food. Everyone is confused, because they have plenty of food and see no reason Ahmik should think he is turning into a monster that eats people. Ahmik's hall monitor, who is taking an abnormal psychology class, decides he must have schizophrenia. Based on this information, is she right?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It is important to consider cultural differences in the diagnosis of mental disorders. Ahmik's beliefs about turning into a monster may be related to cultural beliefs or experiences that are specific to his Native American background, rather than indicating a specific mental disorder like schizophrenia. It would be necessary to consider cultural-bound syndromes and gather more information about Ahmik's personal history and cultural background to make an accurate diagnosis.

Ahmik Grew Up on a Native American Reservation in Saskatchewan