title: Depression after traumatic brain injury: a biopsychosocial cultural perspective.
abstract: There are several challenges in diagnosing and treating mental illness amongst South Asians. Often times, formulating a patient's case presentation cannot adequately be accomplished strictly using a biopsychosocial model. The cultural components play an imperative role in explaining certain psychiatric symptoms and can guide treatment. With the growing population of immigrants coming to the United States, many of which require treatment for mental illness, it is essential that clinicians be cognizant in incorporating cultural perspectives when treating such patients. The authors describe the case of a 24-year old South Asian male who suffered an exacerbation of a depressive syndrome after a traumatic brain injury. Using a biopsychosocial cultural approach, this case highlights how South Asian cultural values can contribute to and incite psychiatric symptoms while simultaneously providing protective drivers for treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA. Electronic address: droy4@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Durga
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA.
authors.forename: Geetha
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jayaram
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vassila
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Shari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keach
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA.
authors.forename: Vani
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003469:Culture; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Biopsychosocial model; Brain injury; Cultural perspectives; Depression