21 years of age, Caribbean American with Indian roots, brought by mother to the outpatient clinic. Hesitant and avoidant to seek any help from Mental Health services of a ‘Shrink’, he was compelled to come for a psychiatric assessment because he was facing DUI (Driving under Influence) charges and this time prosecution on multiple violations with prospect of a year’s jail term. He was required by the Probation services, to attend Alcohol deaddiction Counseling. He was not here for Therapy or Treatment. After two appointments, he stated “I do not like Group therapy, makes me anxious”. “I just want a certificate (Detox Counseling) that I can give to my Probation officer”.
The Psychiatrist was split by his Dilemma, whether to appease the young, lost and entitled personality in the hope that he will engage for help! Or should the Psychiatrist stick within his Professional Boundaries and Institutional etiquettes!
Psychiatrist glanced at the client’s mother, whose eyes pleaded with hope that he will engage with this doctor. A Hope, she has been holding on to, despite many years of turmoil. The boy’s father had tried and given up expectations. Communication had broken down and the boy lived in the same city, scavenging the broken Lives and Lifestyles of the city with his ‘Best Friends’. Friends and their ‘Spoken Words’ were the only Big Deals, in the Atmosphere of Mistrust and broken Loyalties. He had no Hope, did not look for Hope from Others and was psychologically distant and disconnected from his Father. Sometimes he wondered, how his Mother goes on picking him up from messed up situations, shady locations of the town, stoned and lost states of Mind, bruised and handcuffed body from jails and offices of Law enforcement agencies. In his Mother’s Chauffeuring and driving him around, he saw her ‘Need’ and ‘maybe she loves me’. Mom’s love did not yet motivate him to change, but occasionally he felt a tickle of Guilt towards her.
Client asked the Doctor, “Why doesn’t she give up, Doc?” The Doc responded, “If she does not give up, how does it Matter!” He answered, “I don’t like people playing God.”
Doc asked, “Do you believe in God?” He stared away, then with a return glance at the Doc, he spoke, “God does not Exist”.
The above write up is a teasing Insight into the case of a Person diagnosed with Anti-Social Personality disorder. Actual account of Therapy Process, Progress and Outcome will follow soon.
